Sunday could be the final game for a number of Patriots.
The team has 22 players who will be unrestricted free agents following the season, and everyone knows the team can, and will not, keep everyone.
This is a very big offseason for the Patriots as they look to get back to their winning ways. This was New England’s first losing season since 2000 and the first time it missed the playoffs since 2008.
Here is a list the free agents to be following the season and our very early prediction on whether or not they return in 2021.
David Andrews- Yes. Andrews has emerged as one of the biggest leaders on the team and he seems to really enjoy playing in New England. We could potentially see him even taking a little less money on the open market to remain with the team.
Justin Bethel- Yes. He and Matthew Slater are the best special teams tandem in the league and we see it continuing in 2021.
Terrence Brooks- No. Brooks was a healthy inactive a few times this season, which is a sign he was surpassed on the depth chart by some younger players.
Adam Butler- No. There likely will be teams out there willing to pay him more than what the Patriots will offer and as an undrafted player, Butler will likely make a business decision for himself and cash in.
Rex Burkhead- Yes. Coming off a severe knee injury, it’s not even 100% certain he will be ready for the start of the season. He’s a favorite of Bill Belichick and he will likely take a team-friendly deal and see what happens with his recovery.
Damiere Byrd- No. This is a tough one, but Byrd had a career year, which could make him appealing for other teams on the open market. The Patriots are not in a position to overpay for a player like him. With that being said, if his value is in line with what the Patriots want, he’s a player they would definitely consider bringing back.
Shilique Calhoun- No. The 28-year-old hasn’t done much with the Patriots in his two years and the defense will likely look to get younger.
Brandon Copeland- No. Copeland suffered a torn pec in late October so he missed half the season, but the Patriots will likely look to get younger on defense putting him out of the mix
Carl Davis- No. Concussion issues kept Davis off the field with the Patriots and he needs to make sure he’s good in that regard before thinking about which team he plays for in 2021.
Cody Davis- No. Davis likely will get some offers on the open market as one of the better special teams players in the league and if Slater and Bethel are still around, Davis could look to be the star of another team’s special teams unit.
James Ferentz- Yes. If Ferentz, who will be 32 years old next season, wants to play another season, Belichick will likely welcome him back.
Nick Folk- Yes. The 36-year-old had one of his best seasons in the league and said recently he wants to keep playing, so why not?
Jeremaine Eluemunor- No. The Patriots have some younger players now in the mix along the offensive line.
Lawrence Guy- Yes. Guy may be the Patriots’ most important free agent and with a lack of depth up front, the team may need to extend themselves to keep him around. The veteran does seem to enjoy being in New England with the system fitting his game.
Brian Hoyer- No. It feels like Hoyer’s career has come to an end, but if coaching is in his future, why not offer him a spot on the staff?
Marcus Martin- Unknown. Martin was just signed five days ago, so nothing is really known on him.
Jason McCourty- No. Another tough one, but the Patriots seem to be trending towards getting younger at the cornerback position. It’s also worth wondering at age 33 if he wants to play another season.
Cam Newton- Yes. Newton just isn’t going to have much of a market and it could be a situation like this last past offseason where he’s available on the cheap. For Newton personally, it’s hard to imagine teams will view him as a starter and he knows Belichick will give him a fair chance to win the job, so him returning to New England could make sense. This isn't to say he will be the Patriots' starting quarterback next season, it could just make sense to bring him back for a second season.
John Simon- No. The 30-year-old is starting to show signs of his age and the defense seems to be trending towards getting younger.
Joe Thuney- No. Thuney is going to get paid this offseason and the Patriots could potentially move rookie Michael Onwenu back inside. He is a solid player, but the Patriots may need to allocate their money to other positions of need.
Deatrich Wise- No. It just feels like Wise’s time in Foxborough is up.
James White- No. As much as the Patriots would like to bring him back, with the season White had and his father being tragically killed in a car crash and his mom seriously injured, his priorities may have changed and look to get closer to his mom in Florida. Keep an eye on Tampa Bay and Miami.
