The Patriots may have loads of cash to throw round this offseason as they give the impression of being to assemble an virtually fully new offseason.
They’re third in projected salary-cap area, per OverTheCap.com, with over $70 million in accessible funds.
One query on Patriots followers’ minds because the offseason nears is what occurs with beginning left deal with Trent Brown? We’ll reply that and extra on this week’s mailbag.
@carloslucioo
What is the way forward for trent brown and the way would you assess his play this yr
Trent Brown can be a free agent after the season, and at this level, I might be a little bit stunned if he was again in 2024.
Brown has been very open with the media in current weeks about accidents and staff decision-making, which generally will not be the Patriot Way.
He’s been the Patriots’ finest offensive lineman this season, however there are additionally some sturdiness points there. He’s missed 4 video games this season and been restricted in different contests. He’s additionally missed time in 2017, 2019, 2020 and 2021. If Brown was to return again subsequent season, the Patriots would want a extremely good backup possibility with beginning potential. At that time, you may as effectively simply add a brand new beginning left deal with and let Brown stroll in free company.
There are a ton of query marks on the Patriots’ offensive line subsequent season. Brown and Mike Onwenu are free brokers. David Andrews can be 32 years previous and within the final yr of his contract, Cole Strange can be coming off of an damage, and Sidy Sow, Atonio Mafi and Jake Andrews are largely unproven.
You can fairly safely pencil in Strange at left guard, one of many Andrews at middle and Sow at proper guard. But they’ll probably want a brand new left deal with. Onwenu is an possibility for proper guard or proper deal with if he’s re-signed, however he’s nonetheless set to hit free company.
@JoePutnam8
Out of all of the pats upcoming FA, who do they resign? Is there any attainable franchise tag gamers?
I might put the largest precedence (no pun meant) on Onwenu. Safety Kyle Dugger could be subsequent, adopted by tight finish Hunter Henry, large receiver Kendrick Bourne, edge defenders Anfernee Jennings and Josh Uche and working again Ezekiel Elliott.
Henry is a difficult one. His present APY is $12.5 million. He’ll be 30 years previous, and tight ends are fairly low-cost on the open market. Dalton Schultz signed a one-year, $6.25 million contract final offseason with the Texans and has been extra productive than Henry. It could be barely awkward, however Henry may have to take a pay minimize to stay round.
As far as franchising gamers go, Onwenu and Dugger are the highest candidates. Given the Patriots’ uncertainty on the offensive line, I don’t suppose you must let Onwenu get away.
@pats300levelpod
Is there any approach Mac Jones is on this staff in September?
I’m not ruling something out. We don’t know who’s going to be the pinnacle coach, normal supervisor or working the offense.
Here’s what we all know: Mac Jones is due simply $2.785 million in money subsequent season, the final yr of his rookie deal. That’s a fairly respectable discount.
What if the Patriots rent somebody — both a head coach or offensive coordinator — who runs a Shanahan system? And what if the Patriots add a top-tier large receiver by means of the draft or free company?
It’s in all probability value maintaining Jones round as a backup or bridge possibility at this level, proper? I nonetheless imagine the Patriots ought to prioritize drafting a quarterback. But Jones may nonetheless be helpful to the staff in the best system.
@BarlesCharkly
Who do you draft at #2 if Drake Maye goes #1 general?
Give me Caleb Williams.
@TomeTrosanina
Is Chad Ryland on borrowed time this early in his profession?
I believe quite a bit in a different way about Chad Ryland’s 41-yard missed subject purpose after MassLive’s report that officers had underinflated the Chiefs-Patriots kicking balls.
The Patriots haven’t signed a brand new kicker this week, which looks like signal for Ryland.
@AlexDaAverage
Could you see Rourke enjoying in any respect this season?
I might truly like to see the Patriots play Nathan Rourke at quarterback over the ultimate three weeks, but it surely appears extraordinarily unlikely barring accidents to Jones and Bailey Zappe.
Rourke has to be taught a brand new offense for the ultimate three weeks of the season, which is troublesome to do. But he has engaging abilities as a passer and runner.
Rourke can be an exclusive-rights free agent after the season, which suggests the Patriots can convey him again for 2024 if they need him.
Once once more, that might be depending on who’s in cost subsequent season.
Source: www.bostonherald.com