The Patriots' defensive line was on the long list of groups needing improvement this offseason, and the pass rushers have been expected to receive many upgrades. They accomplished that with the signing of top defensive tackle free agent Milton Williams to the biggest contract in team history, but there are still more moves to be made.
Ruling out making a big-time trade to really put the defense over the edge, the Chargers' decision to release Joey Bosa earlier this week put him on the Patriots' radar. The former Defensive Rookie of the Year accomplished quite the career in Los Angeles, but injuries plagued his production in recent years, leading to him becoming a free agent this year.
Because the Patriots could benefit from adding a player of his caliber to the roster, they were considered one of the few teams who could be in on bringing Bosa to their team, even knowing it could likely come with a high price tag.
However, not much was made about their interest in completing a deal. Instead, Bosa signed a one-year deal with the Bills on Tuesday night, putting him on the Patriots' radar in a different way than many had anticipated.
Sources: Former #Chargers Pro Bowl edge Joey Bosa is signing with the #Bills on a 1-year, $12.6M deal. pic.twitter.com/UBb3TW9oKy
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 12, 2025
With his brother leading the defense for the 49ers, there was a lot of speculation that Bosa would inevitably move to the NFC West, making it all the more surprising that he chose to go elsewhere.
For the Patriots, though, it looks like it was a good decision not to bring him in, even if they will have to line up against him twice a year now.
The Patriots made the right decision not to sign Joey Bosa in free agency
The star power behind Bosa's name made him an intriguing prospect for the new age Patriots to bring in for the 2025 season. As a formerly considered dominant pass rusher earlier in his career, he would've certainly been a solid addition to the defensive line, even if he doesn't perform up to the standard he used to.
However, the injury concerns that led to his Chargers departure, which have prevented him from playing an entire season since 2021, combined with the high salary the Bills paid him make him a great pass for the Patriots, who can now focus on getting a top-quality defensive end in the upcoming draft instead.
That inevitably puts a guy like Penn State's Abdul Carter back on their radar. Carter is a perfect complementary pass rusher who could learn a lot from a rising star like Milton Williams. There's a chance Carter will fall into the Patriots' lap with the fourth overall pick, or they could look into other highly touted players like Tennessee's James Pearce Jr., Georgia's Mykel Williams, or Ohio State's Jack Sawyer.
With Williams on the roster and the ability to add more pass rushers through the draft, the Patriots should take that path and build a young core instead of taking a risk on a player who would require a high-paying salary with no guarantee of high-quality production.