Some NFL executives are questioning the Patriots’ quiet and unusual offseason.
In addition to losing starters such as J.C. Jackson and Shaq Mason, the Patriots are also facing a coaching exodus, with Josh McDaniels taking three offensive assistants with him to Las Vegas.
To fill McDaniel’s void, Bill Belichick brought back Joe Judge, and plans to move Matt Patricia to the offensive side of the ball. One of the executives quoted expressed his doubts about the Patriots’ unique coaching setup, as well as their lack of spending.
“Belichick lost a play caller that everyone seems to agree is a fantastic play caller and brought in no one with any play calling experience,” the exec said.
The aforementioned league official says he also doesn’t think Parker will be a difference maker. “They made an in-division trade for a wide receiver (DeVante Parker) with a laundry list of soft-tissue injuries,” the person said. “And remember, Bill could have called anyone who was on his staff who went to Miami under (Brian) Flores and I’d be shocked if those guys said Parker was worth a third-round pick.”
The Patriots surrendered a 2023 third-round pick in exchange for Parker and 2022 fifth-round selection. The 29-year-old has missed nine games over the last two seasons due to various injuries. He caught 40 passes for 515 yards and two touchdowns in 10 contests last year.
Notably, Parker comes substantially cheaper than other wideouts who switched teams. He’ll be paid base salaries of $5.6 million and $5.7 million over the next two seasons.
The second quoted NFL executive doesn’t think Parker can be counted on to produce. “No doubt, Bill played against DeVante, so he must have a feel for what he is getting,” the executive said. “I just don’t agree with it — the guy is always hurt. When we played Miami, I don’t remember thinking, ‘Well, we have to defend DeVante.’”
As Robert Kraft and Belichick have reminded us, the offseason is far from over. The next landmark event is the NFL Draft, which begins April 28.
The Patriots still have a lot of work to do.
