The Pats have some terrible free agent contracts

[Success]

They conducted the offseason like they were going all in for a run in the short-term.

 

I was concerned. But I think it's become clear that Belichick - while still an all-time great - is not the same without Brady.  Brady made his job as GM easier. Taking pay cuts to clear cap space, attracting good FA's to take pay cuts just to play with him, being able to turn receivers into stars.

 

People were praising BB for the construction of this year's team - "The rest of the league zigs, and he zags!  Checkers/chess!"   But he's not winning w/ that team. He'll have to figure out how to navigate a conference that now has a bunch of elite QB's, while he has a game manager & aging vets.

 

[JohnNord]

2 hours ago, Inigo Montoya said:

I was looking at the Pat's cap situation next year and was shocked to see the contracts they handed out last year during their free agent spending spree.  They're on the hook for huge salaries to Jonnu Smith, Hunter Henry, Nelson Agholor, and Kendrick Bourne.  I don't see their offense getting much better even if Mac Jones takes a step forward next year with these guys catching balls for him.  The numbers for those four players are crazy and the dead cap hit is going to make it tough to move on.  Bourne is the only easy out in the group.

 

        2022            Salary  /  Dead Cap Hit

 

Hunter Henry       $15m   /   $19m

Nelson Agholor    $14m   /    $14.8m

Jonnu Smith        $13m    /   $26m

Kendrick Bourne  $6.4m  /   $2.8m

 

Pats top 4 pass catchers salary in '22;   $48.4m

Pats top 4 pass catchers dead cap hit in '22;   $62.6m

 

Those 4 pass catchers are 24% of the Pats total cap next year. 

 

I don't think any of those players would even start on our team.  Hunter Henry might push Knox, but that's the only possibility and Knox is going to make $1.2m next year.  The structure of these contracts are an albatross around the Pat's neck.   The '23 contract hits aren't much better.   BB has made some very questionable GM moves. It couldn't have happened to a nicer franchise.

 

2022 Cap stats;    https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/new-england-patriots/cap/

 

2023. Cap stats;   https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/new-england-patriots/cap/2023/

 

 

They definitely overpaid last season.  All of those contracts are a little high though Henry and Bourne were good contributors.  Smith and Agholor are bad contracts and they are stuck with them for atleast 1 year.  
 

It’s funny because Patriots fans things the team just needs a #1 WR.  Pretty sure the problem is a QB who can’t push the ball downfield 

[Big Blitz]

Allen Robinson would be a great fit for them but if I'm AR I'm going to the best offense and QB possible after what he's dealt with.  

[Rubes]

Sometime in the second half on Saturday, I think it was Henry who dropped an easy reception. My wife (not a football fan) was watching next to me and said "oh, I feel so bad for him, don't you?" to which, of course, I immediately responded with "Nope."

 

Not even a little.

 

[stinky finger]

Replace Knox with Henry?

 

😆

[The Jokeman]

46 minutes ago, TheBrownBear said:

Henry is a good player, but the rest are just meh for sure.  I didn't understand the signing of Jonnu Smith.  Guy is overrated and was completely unnecessary with the signing of Hunter Henry.

Signing Smith hurt the Titans but think Belichek was hoping to replicate Hernandez/Gronk offense this season but their WRs are horrible.

[stinky finger]

2 hours ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

I think Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith are very good TE's. Was kind of shocked they didn't do more this season, especially having a Rookie QB under center.

 

Paying out the ass for Nelson Agholar and Kendrick Bourne... I didn't get it then and I don't get it now. How Belichick looked at the market of Free Agent WR's and decided those were the two to get and pay what they paid is mind boggling.

Smith was awful this year. His contract is awful.

 

Personally, I’m ok with this.

[QLBillsFan]

2 hours ago, NewEra said:

Just wondering what makes you think Jonnu is a very good TE?  I think he’s a better RB than he is TE

He was really good for Titans. Pats find a way to bring the least out of pass catchers. HH must be wondering why he left Herbert. They don’t draft them or get them effectively in FA. 

[Rigotz]

The Patriots have a projected $17M in cap space next year.

 

Here's a list of current starters that are free agents this upcoming offseason:

Devin McCourty

Trent Brown

Dont'a Hightower

JC Jackson

James White

Brandon Bolden

Jamie Collins

Matthew Slater

 

The Patriots might have enough space to sign 2 of those guys.

They are going to be significantly worse next year unless Mac Jones takes a huge step.

[Ed_Formerly_of_Roch]

Thought they also had some key Free agents coming up too this off season?

[Captain Hindsight]

Bourne is a solid player. I’d love a guy like him on the Bills, but as like my 4th option. Not first

1 hour ago, Rubes said:

Sometime in the second half on Saturday, I think it was Henry who dropped an easy reception. My wife (not a football fan) was watching next to me and said "oh, I feel so bad for him, don't you?" to which, of course, I immediately responded with "Nope."

 

Not even a little.

 

I have this same conversation with my wife every week 😂 

[Sharky7337]

Krafty Bob will come up with something I'm sure

[MAJBobby]

BB the GM loaded up on what they though would get Coach BB Shulas records so he can retire. 

[Augie]

Desperate people do desperate things. Belichick spending that kind of free agent money is out of character, and if he was 10 years younger he might have played it differently. 

[ControllerOfPlanetX]

Just as long as they keep paying that noodle arm quarterback, we don’t have to worry.

Mac N Cheese elbow macaroni.