Three Patriots who may not be on the team in 2023
The New England Patriots are currently in a playoff spot but have some work to do to get to a contending level. Could this mean parting with some players? The NFL is a business at the end of the day and tough decisions are made every single year.
The Patriots have been one of the most successful sports franchises in the entire world over the past two decades, so they know a thing or two about making these decisions. The 2022 season has gone better than I personally expected.
New England is 5-4 and is currently in the playoff hunt. They’ll likely need to win 10 games to clinch a Wild Card, and their second half schedule is much tougher than their first. At the end of the season, they’ll evaluate their roster and make decisions on certain players that should stay or go.
Which players may not be on the team in 2023?
Patriots’ players who may not be on the team in 2023
DeVante Parker, WR
Parker was a notable addition to the Patriots this season as he was traded from the Miami Dolphins. He is under contract through 2023, but I’m not sure he makes it then. He is second on the team with 321 receiving yards but fifth on the roster in receptions, catching just 15 balls.
The team can save a hair of $6 million by cutting him next offseason, and they may take that path. Parker just hasn’t given the offense what they were hoping for even though he seemed to be playing very well during offseason activities.
Mac Jones, QB
Mac Jones is a second year quarterback who has struggled quite a bit this season. Bailey Zappe has played better and I personally think that he should be the starter. However, Mac Jones seems entrenched as QB1.
I could also see a scenario where Josh McDaniels soon gets fired in Las Vegas and returns to the Patriots as the offensive coordinator, which would make Jones’ life easier. However, who is to say the Patriots don’t make a significant QB move this offseason?
Could they trade for someone? Derek Carr? Lamar Jackson? Jared Goff? Could they sign Jimmy Garoppolo? I think there are scenarios where Mac Jones is not on the team in 2023.
Trent Brown, T
Trent Brown left the Patriots to sign a big money contract with the Raiders a few years ago and it simply did not work out for him. He then returned to the Patriots and has since played like his old self. However, his old self is someone up and down.
He does get called for penalties and does not seem to be that anchor on the offensive line that a left tackle should be. In the right scenario, Brown is replaceable. The Patriots could save $6.5 million on their 2023 cap space by cutting him.
With Isaiah Wynn likely departing in free agency, it might not make sense to also move off of Brown, but the cap savings are attractive.