4 Patriots who didn't live up to their contracts in 2023
The Patriots' 2023 season was certainly memorable for all the wrong reasons. It's a year that will be remembered for far more than just their poor performance and startling finishing record, as it was also the last year Bill Belichick coached in New England.
Many of the issues that led to his departure could have easily been avoided, with the most obvious one being putting together a better roster.
Although poor quarterback play was responsible for most of the offense's struggles last year, the players the legendary coach chose to sign or trade for massively contributed to the underlying problems. To make matters worse, their contracts and the amount of money the team was forced to dish out became a grave mistake that will hopefully be avoided in the future.
Among the list of players who didn't perform well are the ones who made the situation even worse because of their contracts.
4 Patriots who didn't live up to their contracts in 2023
DeVante Parker
Earned salary: $7,120,000
Bill Belichick's decision to trade for DeVante Parker in 2022 was questioned from the start and unfortunately for all involved, remained that way during the two years he spent in Foxboro.
The longtime Miami Dolphin had a roller coaster career before moving to New England, putting together impressive seasons like 2019 when he recorded 72 receptions for 1,202 yards and nine touchdowns, while also dealing with an injury bug that kept him off the field more than on it sporadically throughout his career.
The Patriots needed help on offense when Parker arrived, and he seemed like a good fit for the team. He was known for his contested catch skills, and his size was a welcomed change in the receiver's room.
He showed flashes of impressive play on 50/50 balls and out-of-this-world catches, but he never exploded in the way the team needed him to.
It was particularly disappointing last year, as he recorded 33 receptions for 394 yards and no scores through 13 games. He suffered another injury that ended his season prematurely, hurting his stock with the team, which would ultimately be the end of his career with the Patriots.
It's likely why the new regime decided to release him at the start of free agency earlier this year, which looks like an even better decision now that Parker announced his retirement from the NFL not long after he signed with the Eagles.