Because the 2024 offseason was going to be significantly different than in years past, primarily due to Bill Belichick's absence, there was an expectation that free agency would be unlike any fans had seen for a long time.
With nearly $100 million available in cap space and plenty of roster holes needing to be filled, the belief was that the new regime would finally spend a lot of cash on top-of-the-notch players. Jerod Mayo seemed to emphasize that as soon as he was named the new head coach, stating he was looking forward to "burning some cash."
It seems as though plans changed, as Mayo attempted to retract those remarks, and the Patriots have had a slow and unexciting start to free agency.
Although they managed to re-sign, most of their vital in-house players were expected to hit the market, and they have yet to make a big splash for players who could greatly improve the team. To make matters worse, they have reportedly been in on many of them but were unwilling to pay what they were looking for in their new team.
That's led them to a typical point after the first wave of free agency where fans are scratching their heads after seeing the list of missed opportunities pile up. And as they start the second wave this week, there are at least five players they could have signed but failed to do so.
Let's hope more names aren't eventually added to the list.
5 great free agents Patriots could've signed but didn't
WR Calvin Ridley
The most obvious name to be on this list is undoubtedly Calvin Ridley. He was considered the most desirable free-agent receiver available this year, and the Patriots made it a point to pursue him heavily once the legal tampering period began.
They were reportedly one of two teams Ridley was considering between before signing elsewhere, which seemed like a good sign for a while. Once the new league year kicked off, the assumption was he had only held off re-signing with the Jaguars to avoid the team having to send a second-round pick to the Falcons due to the trade.
But that didn't happen, either.
About two hours later, it was made official that the Patriots had missed out on locking down their most needed-target. Ridley was signing with the Titans, which was bad enough. However, the reported difference in offers between Tennessee and New England stung more about the decision.
He accepted the Titans' offer, which ensured he would make $23 million a year. The Patriots' contract offer was just shy of that, giving him $22 million annually instead. That's what made the entire situation even worse. It feels like they missed out on a potentially game-changing player due to a measly difference in salary.
Patriots could have signed left tackle Tyron Smith
Because it was made abundantly clear that starting left tackle Trent Brown seemingly had no interest in re-signing with the Patriots this offseason, replacing him was at the top of the list for most needed positions to fill ahead of the draft.
A handful of quality linemen were set to become free agents, many of whom interested fans, but longtime Cowboy Tyron Smith took most of the focus, and rightfully so. The 8-time Pro Bowler was ready to find a new team to play for after spending 13 seasons in Dallas, and it couldn't have come at a better time for the Patriots.
He would surely demand a hefty payday, which wasn't a problem for New England, which entered free agency with the second-most cap space available. Although his age wasn't ideal, he would've been a great short-term veteran on the team, especially if they're planning to select a quarterback in this year's draft.
But instead of getting him in the building, Smith signed a one-year deal with the Jets.
So not only did they miss out on signing a top-name tackle, but because of that, he will now play for a divisional rival with Super Bowl aspirations because Aaron Rodgers will be back under center next season. To top it all off, New York signed him up for just $6.5 million guaranteed, with incentives allowing him to earn another $13.5 million.
Patriots could have signed defensive tackle Christian Wilkins
One of the more unlikely candidates to go to Foxboro, but one that most fans were hoping to see, was defensive tackle Christian Wilkins. He spent the first five years of his career with the Dolphins, who drafted him in the first round of the 2019 draft and created quite a resume during his time in South Beach.
This offseason was Wilkins' first time experiencing free agency, and he definitely did it right. He ended up signing a four-year, $110 million contract with the Las Vegas Raiders, with $82.75 million guaranteed.
Yes, it's a lot of money, but he was another player the Patriots could afford had they decided to pursue him. It would've made sense, too, given that they already released veteran Lawrence Guy and are in need of a solid pass rusher to play alongside Matthew Judon, which Wilkins would have brought to the table.
Instead, they signed Armon Watts and Josh Uche to one-year deals, assumingly "prove it" contracts.
Patriots could have signed tackle Jonah Williams
Even though re-signing Mike Onwenu was at the forefront of most fans' minds this offseason, the offensive line has been in need of a lot of help, so it's gotten to the point of the more, the merrier. That's why there was a subtle intrigue with Jonah Williams, a former first-round draft pick in 2019.
He was considered one of the best right tackles in free agency this year and would have been a great addition to the Patriots, even with re-signing Onwenu. Instead, Williams signed a very affordable 2-year deal for $30 million with just $21.5 million guaranteed to play for the Cardinals.
With so much money readily available to spend, the Patriots chose to look the other way and are still in the market for a backup right tackle. They have some depth on the roster, but none that should make them feel too comfy if anything were to happen to Onwenu.
Whether they had exploratory talks with Williams is yet to be revealed, and if they didn't, they missed a big opportunity. Perhaps the timing coincided with their efforts to retain Onwenu, which explains why they may not have made any effort.
But the hope is they will add more help to the offensive line before the 2024 season, especially a veteran.
Patriots could have signed tight end Noah Fant
Maybe they were never going to have a real opportunity to pursue him because he re-signed with the Seahawks, but it would've been nice to see Noah Fant on the Patriots in 2024, even more so than Austin Hooper.
It was clear New England would address the tight ends in free agency, with Mike Gesicki and Hunter Henry looking for contracts with them or somewhere else. Henry was re-signed on a 3-year deal but remained the only player at the position signed for next season.
Gesicki moved on to sign with the Bengals, and Pharaoh Brown signed with the Seahawks, so there was a big need to add talent to play alongside Henry. That's why Fant became a popular name and felt like a potentially great fit for the Patriots right now and in the future.
The 26-year-old landed with the Seahawks as part of the trade package with the Broncos for Russell Wilson in 2022 and quickly became the TE1 in a loaded offense. He recorded two pretty good seasons and then headed to free agency this year but re-signed with Seattle on a 2-year, $21 million contract not long after hitting the market.
Fant would've been a great addition to the roster, especially to pair with Henry. Instead, Eliot Wolf went the safe route and signed a guy he's familiar with (Hooper) and hopes he can revert to the player he once was in New England.