Patriots: 3 players Pats were smart to ditch last offseason

2. Ted Karras

The Patriots’ offensive line has been performing just fine without Ted Karras.

There were so many burning questions about the Patriots offensive line heading into the 2020 season, and they were only amplified after right tackle Marcus Cannon opted out due to coronavirus concerns prior to training camp.

On top of that, there was no telling how center David Andrews (blood clots) and left tackle Isaiah Wynn (Achilles/ankle) would perform after missing most of the 2019 season. In light of these concerns, Belichick came under some heat for letting versatile offensive lineman Ted Karras walk in free agency. After all, he started 15 games and played 90% of the snaps at an elite level filling in at center for Andrews.

Through five games this season, however, Belichick looks brilliant for doing so. Despite Andrews currently being shelved on injured reserve following thumb surgery, the Patriots’ OL has been dominant. Not only that, but Karras is off to a miserable start with Miami, logging a lackluster 59.1 grade from Pro Football Focus.

2020 sixth-rounder Michael Onwenu has quietly been one of the top rookies in his class and looks to be a key component of the Patriots’ offensive line moving forward. Leave it to Belichick to come off as a genius for letting a player in Karras, who was heavily relied upon last season, test free agency.

If that isn’t a testament to the six-time champion’s legend, then nothing is.