The New England Patriots will return to the practice field next week. While they are expected to improve after going 4-13 last season, there are still plenty of question marks surrounding the team heading into training camp.
Most of those questions are on the offensive side of the ball. For instance, a full season of Drake Maye is exciting, but does he have the weapons to make a real Year 2 leap?
If not, the Patriots still have the time and money to make moves to improve their offense, as Tom E. Curran notes on the latest episode of the Patriots Talk Podcast.
“One thing that is interesting to me is they still have $60 million worth of cap space,” Curran said. “The second-place team in the NFL in terms of cap space is $45 million. So, to me, they have to spend the money.”
How should that money be spent? Phil Perry offered his thoughts.
🔊 Patriots Talk Podcast: 5 PRESSING questions for the Patriots heading into training camp | Listen & Subscribe | Watch on YouTube
“I don’t know how they’re going to, unless they can pull off a trade for one of these disgruntled receivers. Which, to me, is interesting, and it’s something they should pursue,” Perry said.
“I know we talk about it, but we should talk about it more. There should be real pressure on this team to add talent around its quarterback. Because I just did the rankings before we all left for vacation on the Next Pats Podcast, they are still — in terms of their weaponry — one of the worst in football.“
Washington Commanders wideout Terry McLaurin and San Francisco 49ers receiver Jauan Jennings are in contract disputes with their respective teams. Perry would be willing to pay a hefty price to add another talented wideout to New England’s depth chart.
“And so, there should be pressure on this team,” Perry continued. “They know they need help, and they have plenty of money, and they have plenty of picks. So if it takes a second and a third, those are the lengths I’d be willing to go to.
“I heard (Mike) Felger talking about how he’d be willing to give up a first-round pick for Terry McLaurin because he’s sort of a blue-collar number one receiver, which are very hard to come by. Would fit your culture, would help everybody. Those are the kinds of moves they should be considering right now because of the amount of money they have available to them.”
Also in the episode:
- Belichick vs. Kraft on who took the bigger risk when Belichick was hired in 1999.
- Is the Patriots defense really going to be as dominant as we think?
- What will a Drake Make Year 2 leap look like?
- Will this season’s Josh McDaniels offense look much different from his prior versions?
- Which of the recent ‘do nothing’ draft picks has the best chance to revitalize his career?
- When will we start to see some yield from this year’s crop of rookies?
