Patriots reportedly bringing James White back in amazing culture move
By Adam Weinrib
At the 11th hour, it seems like the New England Patriots are about to get another deal done with a pillar of their team culture.
Just a week ago, we expected the Pats would lose several ancillary pieces, all of whom have had a larger-than-life impact in the locker room, but seemed likely to be frozen out by price increases (or, uh, championship chasing).
And now? Well, you can’t call the Patriots rebuilders anymore; they’ve turned over a large portion of their roster, spending across the board to shore up the tight end position, wide receiving corps, and defense.
You also can’t call them “new and different,” either.
They’ve reloaded, but the culture is still thriving. After flirting with rivals in Miami and Green Bay, David Andrews came back at the horn.
Now, after a Tampa Bay dalliance, it looks like James White will, too.
Per colleague @JFowlerESPN, RB James White is expected to re-sign with the Patriots, per a source. The deal isn't done yet, per Jeremy, but the expectation is that it will cross the goal-line ... like James did at the end of Super Bowl LI against the Falcons in OT.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) March 24, 2021
Again, what was that about Tom Brady stealing all of New England’s weapons as the NFL tide shifted further south? We didn’t hear you. Speak up?
The Patriots have maintained their team culture by signing James White.
Let’s be honest with ourselves. A mathematical formula can tell you who should shift where, whose potential isn’t being maximized, and how an underperforming player could be utilized better. It can’t help with the maintenance of a winning culture. It can’t help a player who’s struggled in obscurity with the Chargers for several years find a new home comfortably, or do the little things to fit into a new locker room.
White can.
Though a crowded backfield and the emergence of Damien Harris left us wondering whether White might be the pricey odd man out, it now seems likely his cost was far from prohibitive.
Bill Belichick never lets emotion get in the way, but he also won’t hesitate to snag a pass-catching backfield weapon at the right price.
First David Andrews ... now James White. After investing an unprecedented amount of money on free agents who haven't been part of their organization -- which comes with notable risk -- the Patriots' ability to retain culture-type pillars like Andrews and White seems critical.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) March 24, 2021
In the past few weeks, the James White market has moved in the right direction for New England’s interest. We internalized the Buccaneers rumors when they first emerged, but the outright silence in the wake of the Patriots signing all their high-profile pieces indicated something of a handshake or hush-hush deal on the way.
After all White has done for this organization, it does feel good that they managed to repay the favor. Now, White, Andrews, Dont’a Hightower and Julian Edelman remain in place on the leadership team.
And that’s priceless.
