There’s no denying the Patriots roster has more talent than it did 12 months ago. But that's not to say the off-season has been a complete success.
There should be some buyer's remorse surrounding some signings and one departure has left a gaping hole in the roster.
What decisions should have the front office be second guessing as OTAs begin?
3 overrated moves of the Patriots 2024 offseason
Re-signing Kendrick Bourne
Recency bias must have played a big part in the decision to re-sign Bourne. In his last five starts, Bourne hauled in 27 of his 38 targets, scoring four touchdowns in the process. Fans called for Bourne's return after he tore his ACL in Week 8 last year, and the front office obeyed.
But unfortunately, that’s the story of his career.
Bourne has never started more than eight games in a single season, and that hasn't happened since 2018! Even when he's been healthy, the former 49er has never caught more than 55 passes in a regular season or crossed the 800 receiving yards barrier.
Back in March, re-signing Bourne seemed like a sensible decision. But after signing K.J. Osborn to a one-year $4 million contract, drafting two more receivers, and signing undrafted free agents David Wallis and Beau Corrales, Bourne now seems more of a luxury than a necessity.
At 6-foot-1 and 205 pounds, Ja’Lynn Polk is essentially a carbon copy of Bourne. They even have similar 40-yard times, Polk’s at 4.52 and Bourne’s at 4.68.
Bourne’s new deal pays more than $19 million over the next three years and features heavy dead cap penalties if they cut him before it runs it has run its course.
Signing Joey Slye
Chad Ryland was the worst kicker in the NFL last year, so there was, understandably, a real clamor to replace him. But Joey Slye was only marginally better than the rookie.
Ryland successfully kicked a lowly 64.0% of his field goals in 2023, ranking him 33rd in the league. Slye ranked just four places higher after kicking just 79.2% of his. But he had the edge in terms of kicking PATs. The former Maryland Terrapin had an impressive 96% success rate. Former Virginia Tech Hokie Slye, on the other hand, only made 91.4%.
Slye had the edge when it came to long-range opportunities, though. He made 3 of 5 compared to Ryland’s 2 of 4. The 28-year-old Slye also kicked the longest field goal, too. His 61-yarder was five yards further than Ryland’s best.
Maybe the new Patriots coaching team subscribes to the idea that ball possession is the most important factor in winning football games. If they do, then they'll go for it on fourth down like Brandon Staley.
In that scenario, the kicker will only be important for kickoffs and PATs. With the NFL taking inspiration for its new kickoff rules from the UFL, it would be prudent to look at UFL kickers who have experienced those rules.
Re-signing Mike Onwenu while allowing Trent Brown to leave
Onwenu didn’t have a great season in 2023; PFF awarded him the lowest grade of his career. He allowed three sacks and drew four penalty flags.
The Patriots didn’t have much say in Brown leaving. He made it clear throughout the season that he wasn’t happy with how the 2023 campaign panned out.
The former 49er was particularly critical of how the team handled Malik Cunningham; Brown believed the rookie should have started at quarterback. Cunningham played just six snaps in 2024 and, after taking a sack, was eventually signed by the Ravens after the Patriots cut him.
But money talks, and if the Patriots had offered Brown enough money while outlining how the new coaching setup planned to renovate the offense, they could have persuaded him to stay.
They instead decided to make Onwenu the ninth highest-paid right tackle in the league (or the seventh highest-paid guard, depending on where he lines up) one week after signing former Steelers right tackle Chukwuma Okorafor to a deal worth $4 million.
Losing Brown could well work out in the long run. He is 31, and both Onwenu and Okorafor are younger. But the team is now left without a specialist left tackle while it has eight specialist right tackles.