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Why the New England Patriots should splurge in free agency

By Lou Scataglia

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - NOVEMBER 24: Hunter Henry #85 of the New England Patriots avoids a tackle by Camryn Bynum #24 of the Minnesota Vikings in the third quarter of the game at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the Patriots 33-26. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - NOVEMBER 24: Hunter Henry #85 of the New England Patriots avoids a tackle by Camryn Bynum #24 of the Minnesota Vikings in the third quarter of the game at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the Patriots 33-26. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images) /
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The New England Patriots are projected to have around $50 million in cap space this offseason. They should be active in free agency once again.  Being active during free agency was not something that the team typically did.

But, after the 2020 season, Bill Belichick decided to get it a go, signing loads of free agents, some at the tops of their position markets, and some near the middle.  Largely, it paid off for them, as they were able to take that roster with a rookie Mac Jones, win 10 games, and earn a spot in the playoffs.

They did not have a ton of cap space to work with last offseason, but that has changed for this coming offseason.  So, should the Patriots splurge yet again in free agency?  I think they should.

New England Patriots should splurge in 2023 free agency

Continue to build around Mac Jones (If he is in the plans)

One of the absolute best case scenarios for teams who draft a quarterback is that they pan out and are able to play well during their rookie deal.  Having them for dirt cheap allows teams to try and put the best possible team around that quarterback before they are due for an extension.

Take a look at guys like Dak Prescott, Josh Allen, Joe Burrow, and Justin Herbert.  Whether their teams have done this in the past or are doing it now, we can see how taking advantage of a QB on their rookie deal can greatly benefit a team.

Mac Jones does have talent and makes you wonder if he can be a franchise quarterback.  If BB plans on sticking with his high draft pick, spending a ton in free agency on immediate impact players makes a lot of sense.

AFC East is loaded

The Buffalo Bills are a ridiculously good team with a ton of talent.  The Miami Dolphins were 8-3 at one point this year and have their offense figured out after a very active 2022 offseason.  The New York Jets have an incredibly talented roster.  They have playmakers on both sides of the ball, and many are on their rookie deals.

This division could simply take off in 2023.  If the Dolphins can fix their defense and Jets can grab a competent quarterback, you could argue that the three division rivals for the Patriots are all double digit win, playoff teams.

New England has to keep up with their three divisional foes, and nothing can get them there faster than spending money in free agency.  Unfortunately, their two biggest needs at wide receiver and cornerback do have some less than ideal free agent markets, so that could be a problem.

Splurging worked just two offseasons ago

Spending a ton in free agency recently worked for the team and brought them to a playoff spot in 2021, the following season.  So, if it worked recently, why not do it again?  If Belichick is not going anywhere and has his typical GM duties, he should open up the checkbooks again.

Before that, though, he does need to figure out a solution for the offensive play-caller, and Bill O’Brien appears to be a realistic name for them to target.

Once he has that in place, signing free agents left and right like he did after the 2020 season should happen again in 2023.

Why not go all in while he can?  Surely Belichick is not coaching for much longer, so he may as well make one last run.

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