Could rumored Patriots free agent target foreshadow Damien Harris trade?

In terms of making new additions, the New England Patriots didn’t do much of anything the first wave of free agency.

Based on their inactivity, the front office likely decided beforehand to spend the early stages by re-signing their own players and shopping for potential bargains, like return specialist and gadget running back Ty Montgomery.

Not a terrible strategy by any means, but Patriots fans’ patience is understandably being tested by the team’s lack of statement moves. La’el Collins would’ve qualified as such, but he signed with the Bengals. Another swing and miss. Where does New England go from here?

Well, according to ESPN’s Field Yates, one Leonard Fournette is in town for a free agent visit on Monday. This definitely comes as a surprise given the Pats are stacked at running back, and we can’t help but wonder what it means for Damien Harris’ future after he enjoyed a breakout year in 2021.

Are the Patriots scheming a Damien Harris trade behind the scenes?

Maybe FOX Sports NFL’s Twitter account was onto something when it mistakenly said Harris signed a one-year deal with the Falcons as opposed to Damien Williams, who actually inked the deal.

While Harris’ comical response conveyed his loyalty to the Patriots, that feeling might not be reciprocated. If New England does sign Fournette, there’s no way they can enter OTAs with Fournette, Harris, Rhamondre Stevenson, James White, Montgomery and JJ Taylor all on the roster … right?

Signing Fournette just to trade Harris would fly in the face of Bill Belichick’s money-saving philosophy, as Harris is owed just $1.186 million next season and Pro Football Focus expects Fournette to sign for $8 million annually, which would align with the current market given what Chase Edmonds and James Conner signed for.

It’s just a confounding strategy on the Patriots’ part. Yes, Fournette would bring a championship pedigree and playoff experience to the locker room, but how much of an upgrade would he be over Harris, who racked up 929 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns, which trailed only Jonathan Taylor for the NFL lead, on 4.6 YPC?

Even if Harris has suitors lined up after his breakout season, how much are the Patriots going to get for a running back? Likely nothing more than a mid-round pick and if it’s anything less than a third they’d be taking a loss given that’s the round in which they drafted Harris in 2019.

We’re obviously aware of Fournette’s talent, but signing a 27-year-old running back who’s never played a full season just to trade a 25-year-old who, while having is own injury concerns, is just now getting his footing in the NFL and is still on a rookie contract feels like something most GMs would advocate against.

Wherever you stand on the matter, just be aware that adding Fournette could mark the end of Harris’ run in Foxborough. You can only keep so many capable RBs on an NFL roster and Harris would be the odd man out in this instance since he’ll be a free agent after the 2022 season.

Former Patriots OL slams Bill Belichick for free agency inactivity

In an interview with the Boston Herald, former New England Patriots offensive lineman Damien Woody was critical of Bill Belichick's quiet free agency.