One of the narratives in the NFL this offseason is following the Patriots finishing 7-9 and missing the playoffs for the first time since 2008, they are not a team free agents want to join.
Appearing on Ordway, Merloni & Fauria Thursday, ESPN's Field Yates explained how New England is still a destination for free agents.
“Of course they aren’t the same level of suitor that they were two years ago and they had Tom Brady and you felt like they were going to be competing for the Super Bowl every single season," he said. "But, the Patriots have had a lot of pride, successful players come through that locker room and still are in that locker room from over the past 20 years. That carries some respect as well. Certainly I think Bill Belichick carries a signifiant amount of respect as well and still should for however long he decides to coach.
“I don’t think the Patriots have become run-of-the-mill after one year which they were down, which by the way, they were down, the roster wasn’t complete last year, quarterback play was inconsistent, they went seven and freaking nine, right? I am just sitting here thinking to myself, of all the abominations we see around the NFL every single year, for the Patriots, I don’t know if it’s worst-case scenario, but for a disaster season to finish 7-9, to me I think merits some respect.
“The Patriots probably don't have to worry about being a discount team this offseason because they have so much cap space to work with, but of course, until they get back on their winning ways they will not be the team that we say, ‘Alright, so-and-so wants to go win a ring, J.J. Watt as an example, he’s going to go to New England.' We’re not having that conversation. I have been making the case for J.J. Watt to go to the Browns. Who would have thought that would have been a reality two, three, four years ago?”
When it comes to the quarterback position, earlier in the day Yates predicted the Patriots acquiring Marcus Mariota.
