No matter what way it’s viewed, the New England Patriots offseason has been an eventful one. Players have come and gone, but the team still stands with hopes of competition. With the signings starting to slow, the media has begun to analyze New England’s moves this offseason, and there have been mixed reviews.
ESPN’s NFL analyst Field Yates believes that the Patriots got an amazing deal when they re-signed Devin McCourty. The safety agreed to a contract that’s essentially worth $23 million over two years. At his age, McCourty might not be a top-three safety in the league, but it’s his knowledge and fit that makes him important.
“I’m always a fan of investing (two years, $23 million) in your own players, particularly one who is as indispensable as any other on the defensive side of the ball (certainly along with cornerback Stephon Gilmore),” Yates wrote in a piece for ESPN+. “McCourty is one of the best players in football and an indispensable cog for the Patriots’ defense.”
Paying McCourty is a valuable move because it shows the younger players just what happens if you continue to work. The Patriots are willing to shell out large sums for those who perform, study, and practice well in their system.
On the other hand, there are those who don’t believe the Patriots made the smartest decisions. Obviously, the biggest departure has been that of Tom Brady. Any time a future Hall of Famer decides to leave their organization (especially one they’ve been with for 20 seasons), it’s going to be questioned.
In that same post on ESPN+, NFL writer Kevin Seifert believes the Patriots decision to let Brady walk right out the door is the most confusing one made by a franchise this offseason thus far.
“This decision was years in the making, and it was as much Brady’s as it was the Patriots’,” Seifert wrote. “But it was the result of institutional stubbornness. Why did the Patriots create an environment that the best player in NFL history, still playing at a pretty good level, wanted to leave?”
Seifert’s not wrong.
This move was puzzling. The face of the franchise walked out the door without so much as an offer to stay. He’s also correct in saying that it was a shared decision by both the team and the player. It seemed as though the Patriots were ready to move on to a younger quarterback, and Brady wanted to move away from Belichick.
Not one side has to have the blame. That’s the case here. And, in arguably the most intriguing offseason in Patriots history, moves will continue to be picked apart. Some could look great, like retaining one of their offensive lineman in Joe Thuney. Some may look worse, like letting captain Elandon Roberts sign with Miami for only $2 million. Either way, reactions will continue to flow.
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