1. Cam Newton will be hit with a hard dose of reality in a few months. The quarterback is on record saying how difficult it was for him last offseason with no teams wanting him, and it will likely be close to the same thing this offseason. The five-star recruit, No. 1 overall pick, league MVP will in all likelihood not be viewed as a starter by any of the 32 teams and be relegated to being considered for a backup role. That’s just the reality. What has he done this season to prove otherwise? This brings us to why it could make a return to New England more likely. With not many teams interested, especially when it comes to a starting job, it may make sense for him to return to New England given he knows Bill Belichick will probably give him the fairest chance to potentially win a starting job. Belichick simply plays the player who gives him the best chance to win, unlike some other coaches/situations around the league. For the Patriots, it likely wouldn’t cost them much to bring him back and they can still go out and add another player or two via the draft, free agency or even a trade. Newton did show what a great teammate he is this season so he could be the ideal player to tutor a rookie selected high in the draft. Furthermore, Belichick continuing to stick with Newton down the stretch this year is certainly a sign he hasn’t shut the door on a return in 2021. While a lot can change over the next few months, it’s worth noting the lack of a market for Newton likely increases the chances he returns to New England.
2. One of the more underrated players for the Patriots this season has been Adrian Phillips. The safety has played more of a linebackers role this year due to injuries for the Patriots and he’s made the most of it. With one game to go, he’s set a career high in tackles with 108 that also lead the team. Speaking Friday, Belichick acknowledged it feels like he’s been with the team longer than a year. “I agree with that,” he said. “That’s a good observation. Adrian’s been great to work with. He’s a very smart football player. He works hard, he’s got good instincts, he’s able to do a lot of different things for us, both defensively and in the kicking game. He’s been a very valuable player this year. I’m glad we have him and I’m excited to continue to work with him. I think he will help us. He has helped us a lot this year and I think he will continue to. He’s been really a pleasure to work with.”
3. For the last several years, Josh McDaniels has been a highly-mentioned name when it comes to head-coaching openings, but that doesn’t seem to be the case this year. The only job he’s been connected to is the Los Angeles Chargers, and right now it’s unclear if the organization even plans on moving on from Anthony Lynn. While McDaniels said this week he “absolutely” wants to be a head coach again, it doesn't look like that will be in 2021.
4. The Patriots already are projected to have the third-most cap space in the league this offseason, but that number could get even bigger if Dont’a Hightower and/or Marcus Cannon do not return after opting out of this season. Hightower has a cap hit of just under $12.5 million, while Cannon's is just under $10 million. In addition, the team could move on from Stephon Gilmore, who currently has the biggest cap hit of just over $17 million. Bottom line, the Patriots will have a ton of money to spend this offseason.
5. The Patriots’ 2021 opponents will be finalized on Sunday. As of now, they will have home games against the Bills, Dolphins, Jets, Jaguars, Saints, Buccaneers, Titans and team that finishes in third in the AFC North. The away games will be against the Bills, Dolphins, Jets, Falcons, Panthers, Texans, Colts and the third place team in the AFC West. In addition, it’s been reported the 17th game will be against a team in the NFC East and it’s unclear if that game will be home or away.
6. With the extra playoff team in each conference this year, this means there will be three games next Saturday and Sunday on Wild Card Weekend. The games will be at 1:05, 4:40 and 8:15, which should create one of the best football watching weekends of the year, especially with the National Championship being Monday.
7. Belichick will likely hold a season-ending video conference Monday, which could be the last time he speaks until around the NFL draft. He typically does not speak around the NFL combine and then there’s no required availability until prior to the draft. It’s unlikely much will be learned when it comes to the upcoming offseason Monday, as if you remember at his season-ending presser last year he said he wasn’t prepared to talk about Tom Brady’s impending free agency.
