For much of the Patriots' 2025 offseason, there have been unsettled feelings surrounding the new regime's decisions in free agency, whether it be the players they chose to sign or those they decided to release or sign elsewhere. They were projected to be big spenders, which they certainly accomplished, but it was mostly on defensive players, leaving the offense nearly as vulnerable as it was last season.
That impression changed somewhat when news broke that free-agent receiver Stefon Diggs signed a three-year deal with the team, immediately becoming Drake Maye's first true WR1. But it still isn't enough to put the offense in a better position than just one year ago, inevitably placing a lot of pressure on Vrabel and Co. to deliver through the 2025 NFL Draft.
It likely explains why they remain a favorite to select Colorado CB/WR Travis Hunter with the No. 4 overall pick, as he would be the drastic boost the offense needs. But the chances of him falling into the laps continue to decrease as the draft nears.
That has put another veteran free agent in the Patriots stratosphere, which might not be a bad option until they are able to land the caliber of player they need.
Keenan Allen is listed as a great fit for the Patriots going into the 2025 NFL Draft
In an article by Pro Football Network discussing the best fits for Keenan Allen after his lone season with the Bears, the Patriots are listed as a potential suitor, primarily due to their remaining cap space and concerns about Diggs' return to the field following an ACL injury last season.
If the new regime wants to ensure that Maye has a more solid group around him, insuring themselves by signing a guy like Allen, who had an impressive season in Chicago, could be their best option, especially as the Hunter dream might never become a reality.
"Mike Vrabel is trying to rebuild an offense around second-year quarterback Drake Maye in New England. The Patriots already added Stefon Diggs on a four-year, $69 million deal, but pairing him with another veteran like Allen — especially with Diggs coming off an ACL injury — could give Maye a reliable security blanket in year two."
Looking at the current receiving corps, the Patriots only have a few veterans for Maye to work with: Kendrick Bourne, Stefon Diggs, and DeMario Douglas, if you want to put him in that veteran category already.
There have been reports of their interest in second-year players Javon Baker and Ja'Lynn Polk, hoping they can get them to be more productive with a new system and become solid weapons for Maye to work with. But until practices begin, we won't know if that is something that can come to fruition.
Regardless, adding another veteran like Allen, who recorded 70 receptions for 744 yards and seven touchdowns in 15 games in 2024, would be an applaudable effort. He might not be the most ideal candidate, given his age (32), and he was unable to replicate the kind of production he had predominantly with the Chargers.
However, he proved capable of working well with a young quarterback and still producing the type of output any team would need, especially the Patriots. Considering the kind of turnaround Vrabel and Co. hope to achieve with the receiving corps, they should at least consider what Allen could do within their offense. It wouldn't hurt.