Over the past few weeks, the Patriots have lost several key players from the last few seasons via free agency.
Nate Solder signed with the Giants, Danny Amendola signed with the Dolphins, and Malcolm Butler and Dion Lewis signed with the Titans.
Speaking at the NFL coaches breakfast on Tuesday morning in Orlando, Bill Belichick addressed losing those players.
"Malcolm [Butler], Dion [Lewis], Nate [Solder], Danny [Amendola], those guys worked hard. They competed well. They performed well," he said to reporters. "They signed contracts that were better than what we were able to give them. They all did a great job for us. We wouldn't have had the success that we had without the contributions of those and many other players."
The coach spoke specifically about a few players, Amendola and Solder.
"Love Danny," Belichick said. "Did a great job for us. Great competitor. Played a lot of different roles. Tremendous person. Wish him well in the opportunity he has. Love everything that Danny brought to the team in the five years he played for us."
"Nate did a great job for us," Belichick added. "He's got a great opportunity in New York and we wish him well."
Although the Patriots lost these players, they did gain some solid players as well like Jason McCourty, Jeremy Hill, Danny Shelton, Adrian Clayborn and Cordarrelle Patterson.