New England Patriots: Predicting who stays and goes on offense
By Luke O'Brien
With the offseason here, it’s time to take a look at what the New England Patriots might look like on the offensive side of the ball.
After the New England Patriots’ narrow loss in Super Bowl LII to the Eagles, the page has now turned to the Free Agency period. So who from the current roster (including Injured Reserve and Practice Squad members will be around by the time camp starts for the 2018 season? MusketFire breaks the current roster from top to bottom. After all, aren’t we now “on to Free Agency”? There will be no sitting on the fence here with these decisions; with each player assigned either“ Staying” or “Going”.
Quarterbacks
2 – Brian Hoyer – Staying
Some Patriots fans were not happy when Hoyer was signed to replace Jimmy Garoppolo after he was traded to the 49ers. The reality is, unless the Patriots draft a high-level Quarterback in this years draft, he will be Brady’s backup in 2018. Hoyer represents excellent value considering he has won games in the NFL, and his cap value is just above $900k in 2018. For comparison, the Falcons could potentially pay the vastly inferior Matt Schaub $4.5m this year.
12 – Tom Brady – Staying
The questions about his retirement will follow Brady week-in week–out until he does eventually hang up his cleats. The fact of the matter is, that doesn’t look like it will be anytime soon, and most certainly not in 2018. Anybody that watched the recent Super Bowl will have seen the greatest player of all time showing the world why he is still the best. Despite the loss and most importantly despite his age, Brady is a modern-day phenomenon and long may he continue.