Patriots free agents on offense: will they be re-signed or let go?

Among the difficult decisions the Patriots have to make over the next few months, one of them will be determining the fates of 18 players from the 2022 roster set to hit free agency in March. Some are rumored to retire, while others are said to have earned long-term contracts in New England.

But what will Bill Belichick do?

Names like Jakobi Meyers and Jonathan Jones have become integral parts of the team and are presumed to wager high-paying contracts wherever they land. But will that be with the Patriots? Will Belichick pay them what they deserve?

Here’s a look at the soon to be free agent offensive players and who is presumed to be re-signed or let go.

Offense

Nelson Agholor

During the spending spree that was the 2021 offseason, Agholor signed a hefty contract totaling $26 million over the next two seasons. He was coming off the best season of his career from his one-year stint with the Raiders with the hopes of filling the deep threat void the Patriots’ offense so desperately needed.

Through two seasons, Agholor has had a roller-coaster performance. In 31 games, he’s totaled 68 receptions for 835 yards and five touchdowns. It wasn’t exactly the production Belichick was hoping for, but his inconsistency became the more prominent issue through it all.

As the offense is said to be undergoing a makeover this offseason, whether or not Agholor returns will likely depend on the future of Jakobi Meyers and potentially Kendrick Bourne. Both have been vital pieces of the offense, earning the trust of Mac Jones, and Meyers will be looking for a big payday come free agency.

Re-signed or let go?: It wouldn’t be shocking to see him back, possibly on another short-term contract. However, the list of free agent receivers isn’t that great, which may allow Agholor to explore extended and bigger paycheck options elsewhere.

Yodny Cajuste

Drafted in 2019, Cajuste has not seen the field much throughout his NFL career so far. He missed the 2019 and 2020 seasons due to injuries and has only played in 17 games with five starts since then.

Re-signed or let go?: Because of his limited availability over the last four seasons, and when he was available, the Patriots chose to use other tackles over him, Cajuste will probably walk this offseason.

Marcus Cannon

With the offensive line in shambles for most of the season, Cannon was initially signed to the practice squad for what seemed like emergency use. However, that time came quickly as he replaced Isaiah Wynn multiple times, totaling five games during the 2022 season.

In early November, he was placed on injured reserve after suffering a concussion and never returned to the field for the remainder of the year. He was certainly a stabilizing factor for an offense suffering growing pains but couldn’t maintain that throughout the games he was brought in for.

Re-signed or let go?: Given his age (34) and the likelihood of the team selecting an offensive lineman high in the draft again this year, it’s believed Cannon will not be re-signed unless as a practice squad addition.

Damien Harris 

For 2022 to be the final year of his rookie contract, it was a difficult season for Harris to prove his worth.

After suffering injuries that kept him out of six total games, Harris’ production suffered because of it. Through 11 games in 2022, the running back totaled 106 carries for 462 yards and three touchdowns while also adding 17 receptions for 97 yards. Even when he was healthy and playing, his time on the field was split with Rhamondre Stevenson, who had a breakout season eclipsing 1,000 yards rushing.

Re-signed or let go?: Will he be back in Foxboro next season? Difficult to say at this point, mainly due to Belichick selecting running backs Pierre Strong Jr. and Kevin Harris in last year’s draft. With Stevenson as the clear RB1 and filling in the James White role so far, we could see Harris walk depending on his price and plan for the offense moving forward.

Conor McDermott

Another in-season addition to the offensive line, McDermott was signed from the Jets’ practice squad in late November. He went on to start at right tackle for the final six games of the season, proving the current state of the line was a complete mess.

Re-signed or let go?: The Patriots have money to spend this offseason and could wind up paying a good chunk of it on the offensive line. Will that include McDermott? Likely not, but he may be added to the practice squad.

Jakobi Meyers

As the most highly-discussed free agent this offseason, Meyers (along with many Patriots fans) would like to stay in New England. Arguably the most consistent and productive offensive weapon during the last three seasons, his return could become one of the team’s most important signings of free agency.

Since the 2020 season, Meyers has played 31 games with 29 starts, totaling 150 receptions for 1,670 yards and eight touchdowns. No matter the quarterback making the throws, he’s been the most reliable receiver and has repeatedly impressed with his performance on the field.

Meyers will be the best receiver to hit the market in March, making his value skyrocket amongst those around the league. But if the Patriots intend to keep him in New England, they’ll have to work fast and pay up.

Re-signed or let go?: It makes the most sense to see him back with the Patriots next season, and it would be a shame for Belichick to let him go. He may not be the flashiest player in the league, but he has proven to be a vital piece of an offense building an identity and overcoming growing pains. So unless they have their eye on a receiver to take high in the draft, or if Meyers asks for what Belichick deems to be too much money, there’s no reason he won’t be back for 2023 and beyond.

Isaiah Wynn

The offensive line was a consistent issue throughout the entire season, with a lot of the fault placed on the poor play by Wynn.

Belichick’s decision to pick up Wynn’s fifth-year-option was criticized from the start, but that choice looked even worse as the tackle struggled in nearly every game. At times, his performance even had him benched for Marcus Cannon. Then, after sustaining a foot injury late in the season, Wynn was placed on injured reserve on December 17th, ending his season.

Re-signed or let go?: Although the Patriots will be looking to dramatically improve their o-line, because of how unforgiving Wynn performed throughout 2022, it’s assumed he will not suit up for New England next season.