Greg Bedard of BostonSportsJournal.com joined Felger and Mazz on Wednesday to discuss the latest with the New England Patriots! While on, Bedard gave his 3 up and 3 down in terms of moves made so far by the Patriots in the offseason!
But before the 3 up and 3 down, here’s some info on the Patriots…..
The Patriots will select 3rd overall in the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft due to finishing 4-13 in the 2023 season. The Chicago Bears and Washington Commanders will select before the Patriots.
The Patriots NFC opponents in 2024 will be the San Francisco 49ers, Arizona Cardinals, Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks, and the Chicago Bears. The Patriots will also play the 4th place finishers from the AFC North and AFC West in 2024. The AFC North opponent will be the Cincinnati Bengals and the AFC West opponent will be the Los Angeles Chargers. The Patriots will play one more road game in 2024 than home game.
Quarterback Jacoby Brissett is reportedly coming back to the Patriots on a one-year deal. Brissett was drafted by the Patriots in 2016 and went 1-1 as a starter for the eventual Super Bowl 51 winning Patriots.
Mac Jones, who has reportedly been traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars for a 6th round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, will end his Patriots career with an 18-24 regular season record as the starter of the Patriots from 2021-2023. Jones also went 0-1 in the playoffs.
The season opener in 2024 will be the first game for the Patriots since 1999 that Bill Belichick is not the head coach of the team. Belichick racked up a 266-121 regular season record with the Patriots and was the head coach for six Super Bowl titles.
The Patriots have brought back multiple pending free agents from the 2023 roster so far including offensive lineman Mike Onwenu, lineback Josh Uche, tight end Hunter Henry, and wide receiver Kendrick Bourne among others…
3 Up
Re-Signing Hunter Henry
Sep 10, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry (85) runs a route during the second half at against the Philadelphia Eagles Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
Greg Bedard: He was the one guy that I really did want to live without. I could have dealt with them losing Onwenu and Kyle Dugger and things like that, but not Hunter Henry. They needed a starting caliber tight end and you just can’t find those. You can’t draft those and just put them in. So, Hunter Henry gives them a really good option there.
Cutting DeVante Parker
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – DECEMBER 17: DeVante Parker #1 of the New England Patriots carries the ball during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Gillette Stadium on December 17, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
Greg Bedard: Cutting DeVante Parker. Just a complete disaster of a term here. I can’t believe Bill actually extended him. I’m hopeful that JuJu Smith-Schuster is next and they just air out that room and just start all over.
Re-Signing Michael Onwenu
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – DECEMBER 03: Mike Onwenu #71 of the New England Patriots looks on during the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Gillette Stadium on December 03, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Greg Bedard: Michael Onwenu, just because he gives you a rock solid, really good Pro Bowl, All-Pro level offensive lineman at one spot going forward. David Andrews is getting up there in years, I still think he’s a really good player and will give you good play, certainly this season. I thought he was great last season. My stats that I keep were almost the same, but Onwenu gives you a rock for the future.
3 Down
Josh Uche only getting 1 year & $3 million
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – NOVEMBER 20: Josh Uche #55 of the New England Patriots celebrates during the first quarter against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium on November 20, 2022 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)
Greg Bedard: So my least favorite thing was Josh Uche having to play this season for $3 million. Now it’s good for the Patriots, and apparently he agreed with it, but I’m sorry Josh Uche should be getting a lot more money. He’s a good player. He’s a really good pass rusher. Those guys used to have value in this league I don’t understand it.
Mac Jones getting dealt to be a backup
Nov 12, 2023; Frankfurt, Germany; New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (10) calls a play at the line against the Indianapolis Colts in the fourth quarter during an International Series game at Deutsche Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
Greg Bedard: So Mac Jones to Jacksonville. I just don’t like him having to go to Jacksonville in that situation. I thought he he could compete someplace, be it Minnesota, or Denver, or what have you. I just don’t like that deal for him.
Not signing Gardner Minshew
FRANKFURT AM MAIN, GERMANY – NOVEMBER 12: Bryce Baringer #17 of the New England Patriots embraces Gardner Minshew #10 of the Indianapolis Colts after the Indianapolis Colts’ 10-6 victory over the New England Patriots during the NFL match between the Indianapolis Colts and the New England Patriots at Deutsche Bank Park on November 12, 2023 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
Greg Bedard: Not signing Gardner Minshew. I thought he’s a little bit of an upgrade over Jacoby Brissett. I thought it was worth the risk and the extra money. So I was disappointed in that.
