During a disappointing season unfamiliar to many fans, the Patriots have quite a list of players likely to play their final games for the team during the next eight weeks. Whether it be due to expiring contracts that won't be extended, poor performance, or a free agent signing mistake, a handful of players are most definitely on their way out of Foxboro as soon as Week 18 concludes.
In some cases, it's unfortunate because the player has contributed a lot during their time as a Patriot, while others seem like they need a fresh start somewhere to really overhaul their career.
Regardless of the reasoning, here are six players who could be playing their final games with the Patriots during the second half of the season.
Josh Uche
With his rookie contract expiring at the end of the season and his name being floated as a leading trade candidate before last month's deadline, Josh Uche looks to have one foot out the door of New England already.
The 2020 draft pick has been a solid piece on the defense in the four years he's been a Patriot, accomplishing the best season of his career last year when he recorded 27 combined tackles, nine tackles for a loss, 14 QB hits, two forced fumbles, and 11.5 sacks.
It looked like Uche was well on his way to being a younger version of what Matthew Judon was to the Patriots, but given how he's performed through seven games this season, it looks like last year may have been an outlier year.
He was expected to be the player to step up in Judon's place after the linebacker went down with a biceps injury in Week 4, as the leading veteran who had worked closely with the team's sack leader over the past three years. Unfortunately, that's not what has transpired, as injuries kept him sidelined, and forgettable performances have continued.
Although he wasn't traded before the Halloween deadline, the fact that Bill Belichick entertained the idea of trading Uche away would indicate his plans not to re-sign him. That, along with Uche not becoming a dominating force on the field or on opposing quarterbacks, makes the likely inevitable decision to let him walk in free agency sensible.
Mike Gesicki
Among the list of players signed during free agency this year who likely won't be back is Mike Gesicki. Unlike others on this list, the reason for the rest of the season probably being his last games with the Patriots is not necessarily poor performance; it's more so because he hasn't been the jumbo wide receiver-style player he was anticipated to be.
Bill Belichick made it clear early on that Gesicki was brought in to be more of a receiver than a tight end, which made sense given his forgettable efforts as a blocker on the line and Hunter Henry was still under contract.
It seemed like he would be used a lot in the red zone, where he has thrived in his career, but that hasn't been the case through nine games so far.
Because the offense hasn't been a well-oiled machine this season, some of the disappointment of Gesicki's tenure can be placed on others or excused for other reasons. Despite it all, he has still totaled 19 receptions for 160 yards and a touchdown, which happened to be the game-winner against the Bills in Week 7.
Perhaps he can change the trajectory of his season around in the remaining eight games, becoming much more of a factor within the offense that he was hyped up to be this year. But if that doesn't happen, he will be the latest tight end to hit free agency out of New England, becoming the latest underwhelming signing by Belichick in the last handful of years.
JuJu Smith-Schuster
Because the primary reason for signing JuJu Smith-Schuster was to essentially be a replacement for Jakobi Meyers and is yet to fill that void, it wouldn't be at all shocking to see the receiver traded or released by the end of the season.
Although some of why his season has been disappointing isn't entirely his fault, since the offense in totality hasn't performed up to par either, Smith-Schuster hasn't been the player the team has needed from a newly added receiver. Through seven games, he's totaled just 21 receptions for 140 yards and a touchdown, not exactly the upgrade or equal Bill Belichick was hoping he would be.
It seems either Bill O'Brien or Mac Jones has also taken notice, as his usage in recent weeks has dramatically decreased, making just one catch in three of four games. That will inevitably change as the rest of the season progresses since Kendrick Bourne is done for the year and DeVante Parker is working through a concussion, instantly boosting Smith-Schuster's importance on the depth chart.
That does give him time to step up his game and prove he can be a worthy piece on the offense throughout his contract, which he will need to do even more so after his game-tying or possibly winning drop against the Commanders in Week 9.
If that doesn't pan out, there's no reason to believe he will be on the roster next season. Even though some of the only other receivers signed for the 2024 season are also iffy (Kayshon Boutte, DeVante Parker, and Tyquan Thornton), there's no reason to keep a player that doesn't contribute enough to the team, opening the door for a Smith-Schuster trade during the offseason.
Ezekiel Elliott
One of the more exciting free-agent signings this year was when Ezekiel Elliott joined the Patriots in late summer. Even though some believed his best was in the past hence why the Cowboys were willing to release him, he's become a solid piece on the offense in a short period of time.
Because Rhamondre Stevenson was the projected RB1 after his outstanding sophomore season in 2022, Elliott was brought in as an improved depth piece, making a dynamic 1-2 punch for the offensive backfield. That was the plan preparing for the season, anyway, but inconsistency from the offensive line has hindered much of the success of both running backs through nine games this season.
Despite it all, Elliott has recorded 73 carries for 277 yards and two touchdowns, a very slowed-down year for the typically borderline overused player. He has proven he still possesses the incredible talent he's displayed throughout his career, and when the protection is there, the running back that we got accustomed to during his years with Dallas is still in there.
But that's why we may get just one season from Elliott in New England.
It all depends on what he's aiming to accomplish during his time in the NFL. He could wind up anywhere if it's just to play football or earn a big paycheck. However, if he's chasing a Super Bowl ring, then the Patriots are not the team for him.
Given how much of a pillar Stevenson has become for the team in just three seasons, it would be great to see Bill Belichick try to retain Elliott for more than just this year. With improvements to the offensive line, there's no reason to believe they couldn't be the best running-back duo in the league. But the effort to make his job a bit easier will need to be seen by Belichick, or we can all be prepared to say goodbye to Elliott before the season even ends.
Matthew Slater
This is one of the obvious names on the list at this point.
Because the special teams legend has been reportedly contemplating retirement for a few seasons now, it's fair to assume the 2023 season will be the last time we see Matthew Slater suit up for the Patriots.
Other than being 38 years old, playing 16 years in the NFL, and winning three Super Bowls, being a part of a season like the one the Patriots are going through right now seems reason enough to finally hang up the cleats, especially for a player as accomplished and legendary in New England as Slater.
He will be the latest dynasty-era Patriot to retire in recent years, joining Patrick Chung, Julian Edelman, and Devin McCourty as just a few fan favorites to end their careers in New England recently. But something that separates Slater from the others is his will to build up his likely heir apparent to ensure special teams doesn't entirely fall off in his absence.
That is Brenden Schooler, whom Slater has remained very complimentary of during his first two seasons in the league. He has already shown glimpses of Slater-like play in just a short time, making fans even more appreciative that Slater has stuck around a bit longer than he initially anticipated.
If 2023 is his final season, it will be a heartbreaking goodbye but overwhelmingly grateful thank you to one of the best special teamers to ever play on an NFL field. New England fans were fortunate to have a guy like Slater play for the Patriots for as long as he did, which will make him incredibly missed for years to come.
DeVante Parker
When the Patriots traded for DeVante Parker during free agency last year, he was a welcomed addition to a mostly underwhelming receiving corps. Although it was clear he wasn't the game-changing player that most fans wanted for the offense, he added an element to the team that had been lacking and had the potential to become a solid piece for Mac Jones to work with.
The seven years he spent with the Dolphins were a roller coaster, with some years proving he could be a viable weapon for any quarterback, while others kept Parker sidelined, as he was plagued with multiple injuries.
Unfortunately, that has continued to be his fate even on a new team, playing just 13 games in 2022 and is set to miss his second game in a row this week against the Colts.
Outside of the games missed, Parker has had some difficulties since arriving in Foxboro. He recorded a pretty good season last year, recording 31 receptions on 47 targets for 539 yards and three touchdowns. However, because he is the primary go-to guy for 50/50 balls, Jones tried to utilize him in that way as much as possible. Those throws led to Parker bobbling or tipping the ball away, leading to three interceptions.
So far in the 2023 season, not much has changed. Although Jones has been spared unintended interceptions when throwing to Parker, the receiver has only made 15 catches for 158 yards. It's not the improvement the offense has needed, especially with Kendrick Bourne now out for the year and the uninspiring performance by JuJu Smith-Schuster so far.
Although he received a contract extension to keep him in New England through the 2025 season, Parker hasn't exactly done enough to remain a part of the offense moving forward. There's still half a season for that to change, but if history indicates what's to come, it's hard to argue that much will improve.
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