3 Patriots standouts who are entering their final year in NE
By Jerry Trotta
1. Sony Michel
While Sony Michel is a favorite amongst fans, the Patriots opting against exercising his fifth-year option this week pretty much writes its own story, no? Not only that, but they netted Rhamondre Stevenson, who’s a more bruising back and offers value on special teams, in the fourth round of the draft.
What does that tell you? In our eyes, it says that Michel is either entering his final year with the Patriots or is a real candidate to be cut after training camp. While we understand the value the 2018 first-rounder brings to the offense, it would almost be redundant (and a waste of money) to keep him, Damien Harris, Stevenson, and James White all on the roster at the same time.
Sony Michel likely won’t be back with the Patriots in 2022.
Even if the Patriots decide to keep Michel beyond training camp and into the regular season, this will undoubtedly be his final season in Foxborough. We take no pleasure acknowledging it, but the Georgia product looks poised for unrestricted free agency next offseason.
With a legitimate handful of other promising young talents on the roster, the Patriots simply cannot afford to keep hold of a player in Michel who not only struggles to stay on the field, but is significantly one-dimensional compared to the modern day running back.
