New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick has some hard choices to make this week, as the team makes final roster cuts for the 2023 season. He’s already addressed some concerns, such as offensive tackle. But what else is left to do?
Plenty. Here are seven tough decisions that Belichick is going to have to make over the next day and a half as he cuts down the Patriots’ roster…
Wide Receiver
Kendrick Bourne of the New England Patriots and Mac Jones of the New England Patriots celebrate with DeVante Parker after Parker’s receiving touchdown against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on Jan. 8, 2023. (Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)
Kendrick Bourne and DeVante Parker are likely in, and any trade involving them would qualify as a surprise. JuJu Smith-Schuster, in. Complicating matters, in a good way, is the emergence of the two rookies, Kayshon Boutte and Demario Douglas.
Douglas consistently impressed throughout the summer, and despite a reported minor shoulder injury, he should be safely on the initial 53-man roster. Boutte, meanwhile, overcame a quiet start to camp to stack days over the final few weeks. Boutte barely played in the preseason finale, an indication he’s shown enough to make the team.
Tyquan Thornton of the New England Patriots celebrates a touchdown catch with Mac Jones against the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium on Jan. 1, 2023. (Winslow Townson/Getty Images)
Here’s where Belichick’s decision could be made easier: Tyquan Thornton continues to miss practice with a shoulder injury. The Patriots would need to name Thornton to the 53-man roster first, in order to make him eligible to return from injured reserve. Thornton has had a disappointing summer, but still has too much upside to outright cut, so we expect him to either stay or be traded.
At the very least, Belichick would need to cut someone at another position to accommodate six wide receivers on the initial roster. He could arrange something to release a player, then bring him back after taking care of the procedural stuff. The situation reflects an interesting Patriots wide receiver depth chart, which doesn’t contain a surefire No. 1 star, but six players that are too good to cut.
The Next Tight End
New England Patriots tight end Matt Sokol makes a catch while running a drill at 2023 minicamp in Foxboro. (Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports)
The Patriots may have Hunter Henry and Mike Gesicki both healthy in time for the Eagles in Week 1, but they could still stand to carry a third tight end. It’ll be interesting to see who that is, and whether he’s named to the initial roster or released and stashed on the practice squad.
Matt Sokol is my leader in the clubhouse, because he’s arguably the best blocker on the team at the position. Anthony Firkser has the edge as a pass-catcher, but not necessarily enough of a talent gap to beat out Sokol. The Pats are likely to run a lot of two-tight end sets this season, and that’s where you’ll really want to have at least one solid blocker.
Malik Cunningham
Aug 10, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Malik Cunningham (16) during the second half against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
Cunningham is most certainly a long way away as a quarterback at the NFL level, but we’re even more certain that the experiment of converting him to wide receiver won’t work out any time soon. Still, Cunningham has flashed enough to make him an intriguing hold, and at QB.
The question is, has Cunningham shown enough that it would be too risky to waive him and try to bring him back on the practice squad, where another team could eventually sign him away? It’s possible that Belichick has to name Cunningham to the main roster and keep him there, even as a developmental player that won’t see the field as a rookie.
Kicker(s)
Aug 10, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots place kicker Chad Ryland (38) kicks the ball to the Houston Texans during the first half at Gillette Stadium. (Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports)
See?! Kickers?! Plural?! Yes, it sounds like lunacy, but don’t rule anything out with Bill Belichick. Rookie Chad Ryland hasn’t done enough to separate himself from veteran incumbent Nick Folk, who also has been good enough to keep around.
Ryland will make the team. The decision is with Folk. Do they find a trade partner for the veteran? Do they move on regardless, and entrust field goals to the strong-but-erratic Ryland? There’s enough intrigue here that both staying on the roster is at least a remote possibility.
Interior Offensive Line
Aug. 10, 2023; Foxborough, MA: New England Patriots guard Atonio Mafi on the sideline during a preseason game against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium. (Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports)
Both starting guards, Cole Strange and Mike Onwenu, are uncertain to be ready for the season opener. The Patriots may feel comfortable enough with one of their backups, a group that includes James Ferentz, rookie Atonio Mafi, and converted defensive lineman Bill Murray.
But both guard spots? That wouldn’t be ideal. It’ll be interesting to see who stays, and whether Belichick feels compelled to add another guard via trade, waivers, or free agency.
Defensive Tackle
Aug 19, 2023; Green Bay, WI, USA; New England Patriots defensive tackle Davon Godchaux (92) tackles Green Bay Packers running back AJ Dillon (28) during their preseason football game at Lambeau Field. Credit: Tork Mason-USA TODAY Sports
Belichick doesn’t seem particularly happy with this group as currently constituted. That’s evidenced by the recent addition of Marquan McCall, who was released after failing a physical. The Patriots also cut veteran Carl Davis, whose time in New England seems officially over, as well as Justus Tavai.
So, the question with this group isn’t necessarily who gets cut, but whether the Pats bring in a new face. Otherwise, Davis’ departure opens the door for Daniel Ekuale to maintain his roster spot, or for second-year pro Jeremiah Pharms Jr. to sneak onto the roster.
Isaiah Bolden
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Cody Chrest catches a pass as New England Patriots cornerback Isaiah Bolden makes the tackle during a preseason game Saturday, August 19, 2023, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, WI. (Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin)
Prior to suffering a scary-looking concussion during a preseason game against the Green Bay Packers, Bolden may have shown enough to be able to stick around. The question is whether Bolden, a rookie seventh-round pick out of Jackson State, makes the initial roster or is placed on injured reserve before that. The latter would end his season.
Bolden is intriguing as a reserve cornerback and could make immediate contributions on special teams, so it wouldn’t be surprising if the Patriots kept him in the fold, one way or another.
