The Patriots have consistently been linked to top wide receivers across the league for several years, whether through trades or free agency, since their receiving corps hasn't been considered elite in quite some time.
That meant that once the Dolphins moved on from Tyreek Hill, who had also caused the Patriots a lot of problems over the years, including with the Chiefs, he was put on their radar as a potential signing, even after they traded for A.J. Brown.
The idea of pairing Brown and Hill seemed too good to be true, even if they were presumably "past their primes." But neither has shown any signs of slowing down, as the Patriots saw during Hill's tenure, and bringing him in could give them one of the league's most lethal receiver duos.
Fans were split on the idea, despite recognizing the potential Hill could bring to the offense, but given his past behavior on and off the field, there was clear disdain not just for the player he is, but also for the man.
And given his recent controversy, which led to assault charges, it's clear that Mike Vrabel and Co. made the right decision not to entertain signing Hill, even if they felt desperate after trading Kayshon Boutte or after Brown's Week 1 injury.
Avoiding Tyreek Hill was the right move for the Patriots this offseason
As a constantly problematic player in the league and in life, it wasn't exactly surprising to hear that Hill was hit with several charges for battery, assault, and domestic violence.
That overrides what he can do for any team offensively, no matter how badly they need wide receiver help, and that was made even more apparent when a jury found Hill liable on two counts of battery on his ex-wife earlier this week.
Given the sheer number of controversies the Patriots have dealt with over the last two decades, including the alleged affair between Vrabel and NFL insider Dianna Russini that was revealed this past offseason, that alone should have driven the Patriots in the opposite direction from Hill, regardless of the allegations' seriousness.
But beyond that, everything that has surrounded Hill to this point should have deterred them, too. But as we know, in a league that only cares about winning, NFL teams don't operate that way. They will look past almost anything if it means winning more games.
So if the Patriots had inquire about signing Hill, it wouldn't have been surprising.
Fortunately, it doesn't appear that they did, and now that he is legally liable for causing harm to his ex-wife, they should never reconsider their position on him again, regardless of how talented he is on the field.
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