The New England Patriots have officially begun their offseason by reuniting with an old friend.
Anyone still worried about Bill Belichick being unable to pull off the “magic” anymore?
With the franchise tag deadline arriving in the coming hours (days?), NFL teams are beginning to enter the business of free agency for the new league year.
Though the Patriots plan to be uncharacteristically aggressive this year, they’re still also going to do what they do best, which is cleaning up other teams’ messes in an effort to acquire premium players at a bargain.
First move? Bringing Trent Brown back, two years after he was coached up by Dante Scarnecchia, left the Patriots for Oakland in 2019, and then continued to perform well on a four-year, $66 million mega-deal.
The Pats and Raiders have now swung a Brown deal, and he’s headed back on a reworked contract at an impressive discount.
The Patriots and Raiders have agreed to a trade that will send OT Trent Brown to New England, per sources.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) March 9, 2021
Brown has also agreed to a reworked contract for one year that is expected to be worth up to $11M as part of the deal.
The Patriots have traded for Trent Brown — again.
Somehow, in acquiring him twice, the Pats have nabbed Brown for two separate and impressive bargains, and only the Raiders have ever overpaid for the man. How does this team do it?!
The first time Brown arrived in New England, he cost a third-round pick, while the 49ers attached a fifth-round pick to him in order to facilitate the deal. This time? A seventh and a fifth (and a 2022 pick swap), with the final two years of his deal converted into a one-year contract, allowing Brown to become an unrestricted free agent again next offseason.
With late-rounder Michael Onwenu and top pick Isaiah Wynn firmly situated on the line, New England has (likely) replaced pending free agent Joe Thuney with someone they know and trust. And they did so with ease!
From @GMFB: The #Patriots and #Raiders agreed on a rather large trade, with OT Trent Brown heading back to New England and the teams swapping 2022 picks. Details ⤵ pic.twitter.com/14l0Ue7jeL
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 9, 2021
So, if you’re keeping track, that’s one devious move made and one need filled, and the clock’s barely started on the 2021 offseason.
The most important position under center still hasn’t been filled, but whoever mans QB for the Patriots in ’21 will be well-protected. Perhaps it’s time to further relive the original Brown trade and finalize a deal for another wayward 49er?
3 free agent running backs Patriots should take a peek at
It is far from the biggest need for the Patriots offense, but there are some intriguing free agent names at the running back position.