Trey Flowers, premier free agent, has minor shoulder surgery
The New England Patriots’ top free agent, defensive end Trey Flowers, reportedly underwent a minor shoulder cleanup surgery.
According to a new report from ESPN, prized free agent Trey Flowers recently went under the knife for minor surgery. League sources told ESPN the operation was “not considered serious,” and described it as “more of a cleanup.”
Even though the procedure was relatively minor, it makes sense that Flowers and his representatives would try to keep any medical news under wraps right now. The 25-year-old defensive end is one of the marquee unrestricted free agents in the NFL this offseason, and figures to command an impressive new deal on the market, whether with the Patriots or another team.
Obviously any concerns over health or physical readiness for the 2019 regular season could negatively impact Flowers’ earning potential as a free agent. Hopefully for his sake, the surgery was indeed minor, and his recovery will be quick and without setback.
A defensive end out of Arkansas, Flowers has seen his value steadily rise across all four seasons he’s been in the league. He missed his entire rookie year after a shoulder injury landed him on injured reserve, but came back strong in 2016 and finished that season with 7.0 sacks, 45 tackles, and 2 fumble recoveries.
In 2017, Flowers started in all 14 games he was healthy for, racking up another 6.5 sacks, 62 tackles, and 2 forced fumbles. He also had five tackles in the Patriots’ Super Bowl loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
This past season was undeniably Flowers’ best one yet, however. Knowing he’d soon be entering free agency, the powerful edge rusher set a new career high in sacks with 7.5, to go along with 57 tackles and 3 forced fumbles. He also had three tackles against the Los Angeles Rams in the Patriots’ Super Bowl 53 victory.
Next. Who are the top free agents the Patriots should try and retain?. dark
Most analysts and football experts have Flowers ranked as a Top 10 free agent this spring – some even have him as high as the Top Five. New England should do everything in their power to try and retain him if they can afford it.
Unfortunately, that’s likely to be a very big “if.”