6 rings postgame show: Christian Fauria and Mike Kadlick on the issues facing the Patriots
The Patriots head to Germany this weekend with a 2-7 record as they get ready take on the Colts from Frankfurt. Let's answer some mailbag questions before they take off!
A reminder: to stay involved, make sure to keep an eye out for my mailbag thread on Twitter @mikekadlick and @WEEI. Don't have Twitter? Email me at michael.kadlick@audacy.com to submit any Patriots-related questions you may have.
Here we go...
Q: How viable is a Bill Belichick trade?
A: Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio shook up the NFL world last week when he dropped what he called 'not a report', but speculation that Bill Belichick could traded to the Commanders this coming offseason.
Ever since Florio was all over the Tom Brady to Miami/ownership rumor that ended up being true and cost Miami draft compensation, I've tended to trust his speculation. So I believe a Belichick trade is viable.
Commanders owner Josh Harris is a billionaire, and wants to make a splash with his new toy. He doesn't have ties to Ron Rivera, and what better to way to make the football team in Washington relevant again than bringing in the greatest of all time to coach your football team?
If the rumblings around the league of said trade are real, then perhaps the rumor of Belichick's contract was, on fact, a leak from the Kraft side saying 'Hey, if you want him, you have to pay up.'
Harris is one who'd do it.
Q: Right now, what percent chance do you give Bill Belichick being the Patriots head coach next season?
A: Given both the report of his new contract and the above rumor about a potential trade, I'll call it a 45% chance that Belichick is back in 2024.
The Patriots are in the midst of what the head coach called one of the more frustrating seasons he's ever had on Monday's episode of The Greg Hill Show, and having won just one of their previous five games, look closer to landing the No. 1 overall pick than they do a playoff spot.
Whether it's a mutual parting of ways, a firing, or a trade, something has to give. I think there's less than a 50-50 shot he returns to Foxborough at this point.
Q: Do you think the Patriots will go forward with Tyquan Thornton, Kayshon Boutte, and Pop Douglas at wide receiver?
A: Should they? Yes. Will they? Probably not.
Why do I say that? Because this weekend was the perfect time to get a glimpse of what rookie sixth round pick Kayshon Boutte can bring to the table. Both DeVante Parker (concussion) and Kendrick Bourne (knee) were out and according to Bill Belichick, this was Boutte's best week of practice.
Even Boutte himself said that he was ready to face the challenge and that he felt his name was being called.
And then they didn't even activate him for the game, opting to go with JuJu Smith-Schuster, Jalen Reagor, Demario Douglas, and Tyquan Thornton instead.
On top of this, Thornton was played just 12 snaps in the contest and was effectively benched for the entire second half. Douglas was the only young gun who played the entire game, leading the Patriots in yards (55).
At 2-7, they should be seeing what they have in their young talent, but based on what we've seen, I'd expect the heavy dose of Parker and JuJu to continue.
Q: Can we just focus on the Celtics now?
A: Here in the Patriots section of WEEI.com, our full focus will remain on the Patriots.
HOWEVER! Go give our Celtics reporter Justin Turpin a follow on Twitter @JustinmTurpin for all the coverage of the best team in basketball. You can read him here on WEEI.com as well.
Q: Should the Patriots sign Kirk Cousins to a two/three year deal?
A: No, the Patriots shouldn't sign Kirk Cousins.
The Vikings quarterback tore his Achilles just over a week ago and will be entering his age 36 season next September. Cousins has also been one, whether it's maxing out the franchise tag or strong-arming Minnesota for a fully-guaranteed contract, that's about getting his money. We know Bill Belichick isn't going to pay up for that.
The answer should either be Mac or a young gun.
Q: Could Belichick and the Patriots look at a QB early in next years draft to go with cap space?
A: The 'young guns' that I mentioned above include the likes of Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, Michael Penix, and Bo Nix. Four college quarterbacks that look to be first-round picks next draft season.
The previous question mentioned that the Patriots may not be in position to grab one of those top guys, but I disagree. Tankathon currently has New England sitting at the fifth overall pick following Sunday's loss and while their schedule gets easier down the stretch, the mindset (or the talent) in the locker room likely isn't getting any better.
The Pats have ample salary cap space next offseason. My plan would be to use that to get offensive line help and then head into draft season with aspirations for a wide receiver and potentially a quarterback.
Q: How in the world do you fix this team? Where do you even start in the offseason?
A: This is a great question. Heading into 2023, it felt like there were a few quick holes the Patriots needed to cover up in order to make a push to the playoffs. That was ultimately not the case. This team needs an overhaul.
There are five buckets that I have my eyes on that the Patriots need to either change or reassure. Here they are, in order of most to least important:
- Head coach: Whether it's Belichick or somebody else, this needs to be the first decision made this offseason.
- Re-signing free agents: After not selling off the likes of Josh Uche, Kyle Dugger, Mike Onwenu, Kendrick Bourne, or Hunter Henry at the trade deadline, an honest effort needs to be made to retain them.
- Offensive line: After Onwenu and Brown's situations are (or aren't) figured out, the Patriots need to dip into both free agency and the draft for offensive linemen.
- Wide receivers: Sure up the line, and then go get a weapon. Trade, draft, sign. All three should be on the table.
- Quarterback: Depending on a) Mac Jones' performance throughout the rest of the season and b) who the head coach is next season, a decision has to be made on who the signal caller is for this team moving forward.
Q: Has Bill Belichick lost this team?
A: This question has come up a lot over the last two weeks and even as someone who is in the locker room most days down at Gillette Stadium, it's hard to tell if Belichick has truly lost the team.
On one hand, you had J.C. Jackson and Jack Jones basically benched on Sunday, and then both of them refusing to speak post-game. On the other, win or lose, quarterback Mac Jones and his chemistry continue to show a loose and friendly bond off the field.
Maybe it's coach vs. player right now. After all, Jones did invoke his classic 'that's a good question' when asked about the offensive scheme they're running. Either way, the disciplined "Patriots Way" of old left One Patriot Place on the same day that Tom Brady did on that March day in 2020.
Make sure to follow Mike on Twitter @mikekadlick, and follow @WEEI for the latest up-to-date Patriots and Boston sports news!
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