Offseason mistakes the Patriots need to avoid in 2023
The New England Patriots have a high draft pick and a ton of cap space this offseason, but could still make some major mistakes. No matter how well run a team is, mistakes will be made. Teams who sign players in free agency might not be doing so out of luxury, but perhaps because they swung and missed on a draft pick, for example.
The New England Patriots could have a stellar offseason and get themselves back to where they were in the 2021 season.
However, they could also flame out a bit and make the wrong moves in the offseason.
Speaking of wrong moves, what are mistakes the team needs to avoid making in 2023?
Offseason mistakes the Patriots need to avoid in 2023
Not re-signing Jakobi Meyers
The first big mistake they could make is letting Jakobi Meyers sign with a different team. This would be a huge mistake, as Meyers is not a true WR1, but he’s proven to be amazingly consistent for the team in his first two seasons.
I think he’d be a nice 2 next to someone like Mike Evans or DeAndre Hopkins, and the Patriots will need to add someone of that caliber, but Meyers is a crucial piece of that room.
Not looking for a QB upgrade
The Patriots should look for a quarterback upgrade this offseason, but that does not mean they’ll be able to find one, unfortunately.
The Baltimore Ravens and Lamar Jackson could be far apart on a contract extension, so if the two sides were to get to a point where they’d consider a trade, the Patriots should sniff around.
I also think the team should truly ask themselves if they’d consider Derek Carr or Jimmy Garoppolo to be upgrades, and if so, then pursue one of them.
Not being aggressive as a whole
I do think this might be the last year or so of the Bill Belichick era in New England, so to me, the team should be aggressive in trying to improve the overall roster. I wouldn’t bat an eye if the team were to part with their first round pick in 2023 to acquire an elite player to fill a need.
I also would not bat an eye if the team spent big in free agency again. The AFC East could end up being the best division in football in 2023, especially if the New York Jets acquire a legitimate quarterback, which could lead the Patriots down to the cellar.