Latest Kenny Golladay rumor is brutal blow for Patriots

As it generally is, the NFL news cycle was dormant for several weeks following the conclusion of the postseason, and, aside from the occasional quarterback rumor, the New England Patriots have played their part in the yearly hiatus.

However, that narrative is slowly changing with the start of the new league year approaching. Speaking of which, the franchise tag deadline has arrived, and though it doesn’t generate as much excitement as free agency, it’s an absolute gold mine as far as offseason content is concerned.

In unsurprising fashion, the annual carousel lived up to the hype, as multiple players were informed that they won’t be tagged by their current teams, thus clearing them to test the open market once the legal tampering period opens.

Unfortunately for the Patriots, however, the fallout from one storyline on Tuesday’s deadline indicates a division rival could get even stronger before long. Per the latest buzz, the Dolphins are expected to show “considerable interest” in newly-minted free agent wideout Kenny Golladay.

The Dolphins are shaping up to be a suitor for free agent WR Kenny Golladay.

With a rebuild looming following the trade of longtime quarterback Matthew Stafford, it doesn’t come as a shock that the Lions are letting Golladay test free agency. At 27 years old and fresh off a hip injury that limited him to just five games in a contract year, signing him to a lucrative deal would make zero sense from nearly every standpoint.

However, doing so gives the Pro Bowl talent the freedom to sign with any team, and you really couldn’t fault him if he gave the Dolphins serious consideration after they won 10 games and just missed out on qualifying for the playoffs despite rotating quarterbacks all season.

In the simplest of terms, Miami has as bright of a future as any team in the league, and you better believe free agents will be chomping at the bit to become a part of the culture and program turnaround head coach Brian Flores has effectuated in just two years on the job.

With the likes of Chris Godwin and Allen Robinson reportedly getting tagged by their respective teams, that leaves Golladay as arguably the most talented receiver in the loaded 2021 class, and the Dolphins are equipped with the requisite cap space to make a deal happen.

We hate to be the bearers of bad news on a day the Patriots made a statement addition to their offensive line by trading for offensive tackle Trent Brown, but if the thought of an up-and-coming division rival pursuing a wideout who is just one year removed from logging 65 receptions for 1,190 yards and a league-leading 11 touchdowns doesn’t terrify fans in New England, we’re not sure what will.

Patriots will look like failures if Tom Brady convinces Bucs to trade for Odell Beckham Jr.

According to Adam Schefter, Buccaneers QB Tom Brady wants his team to trade for Odell Beckham Jr., which would make the Patriots look bad.