3 quarterbacks the Patriots should try and trade for this offseason
By Jack Long
A lot like last offseason, the Patriots are looking for a signal caller to lead their offense back to the postseason.
With Cam Newton likely as good as gone, it’s time for the New England Patriots to start thinking about new options under center. The Newton experiment and definitely worth a shot, but he’s just not the quarterback he used to be. His threat as a rusher is still among the best in the NFL, but his arm really needs a lot of work to get back to where it was.
That leaves the Patriots in another tough spot — looking for the most important position this offseason with no confident safety blanket in Jarrett Stidham. Free agency offers several veteran QBs, but no game-breakers (unless they can somehow snag Dak Prescott).
With the highest draft selection the Patriots have had in years at No. 15, New England could buy-in to one of the young and dynamic quarterbacks projected to go in the middle of the first round.
However, the most intriguing route the Patriots could go is by taking a look at the trade market for a number of quarterbacks who could be made available. Let’s analyze some potential options for Bill Belichick and Co.
3. Tua Tagovailoa
Is there any chance the Patriots can get Tua Tagovailoa from the Dolphins?
Word around NFL circles is that the Miami Dolphins organization isn’t completely sold on the fact that Tua Tagovailoa can be a franchise QB.
The Dolphins shakiness could be the Patriots’ gain. The Alabama-New England connection still runs strong and you know Belichick would be happy to snag the young quarterback his buddy Nick Saban helped develop into a bonafide star.
Tagovailoa would truly fit perfectly in the old Patriots system given his effectiveness in the pocket. He definitely has that edge over Newton, AND he can beat you with his legs. The best of both worlds, though he does need a bit of refining after what we saw in 2020.
Tagovailoa’s inconsistencies are perhaps a result of an irregular year and one can only imagine what Belichick could do in a full summer with the second-year signal caller.
With Tagovailoa making less than $10 million over the next few years, he wouldn’t be a major hit to the Patriots’ salary cap. However, this would take serious convincing for the Dolphins to trade him within the division, which remains unlikely, especially since there are rumors suggesting Tagovailoa could be involved in a grander package to help the Dolphins land Deshaun Watson. Don’t count on this happening, but don’t rule it out.