5 biggest signing mistakes by the Patriots in 2023

Anthony Firkser 

He’s another one who didn’t make the 53-man roster for the Patriots. But when you find out how he’s spending his January, you will wonder why. Firkser is a Harvard graduate who can play fullback and tight end. And a fullback would have been an exciting addition to a Patriots' run game that occasionally worked but could have used some help. 

Firkser is wintering in Detroit as a part of the Lions’ playoff run. It’s almost as if talent identification was a real weakness in New England last year. 

Trey Flowers 

Apparently, it’s not just evaluating talent and the value a player could bring to the team that the Patriots struggled with in 2023. Medical evaluations were also an issue. 

Everyone in New England loves Flowers; he made New England’s All-2010 team (and he wasn’t drafted until 2015). And it wouldn’t be a huge surprise if he was around the team in a coaching capacity next season.  But everyone has heard the phrase "there's no room for sentiment in a business" a million times, And yet here we are.

But he only played four games in 2022, making four tackles. But a foot injury landed him on IR. Miami released him in October of 2022, and he hasn’t played a snap since. He began the 2023 season on the PUP list and was cut on the 24th of October. 

Calvin Anderson 

Anderson has a 44.6 PFF ranking which is a bit harsh since he was only actually able to play seven games before his season was ruined by injury. Anderson only allowed one sack and drew one penalty flag when he did play.

He’s only 27, though, and he still has another year to run on his contract. He could well be an essential part of the Patriots 2024 roster. 

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