Get caught up with the latest news about the New England Patriots as they continue interviewing for positions on the staff, think about the best players to sign in free agency and start planning for the upcoming NFL draft.
Mack Wilson reveals Patriots players were kept in the dark about Bill Belichick's departure
The news of Bill Belichick leaving the Patriots after 24 years shocked most New England fans, while others expected it from a mile away. But apparently, those caught off guard weren't the only ones, as Mack Wilson revealed the players were not informed of the head coach's exit before the press conference with Robert Kraft.
The linebacker shared that insight with AtoZ Sports earlier this week and admitted to feeling similar to the fans at home upon hearing the news.
“Honestly, we didn’t know as players. I feel like we was just taking it one day at a time, trying to put our best foot forward. And we honestly didn’t know if Bill was gonna be the head coach, if they was gonna move on from Bill, if (Jerod) Mayo was gonna get the head coach — we didn’t know nothing. Obviously until we heard that RKK (Robert Kraft) and Bill was gonna have the little thing together and whatnot and to discuss the future. I didn’t even get that feeling. We definitely didn’t see it coming like that for real. Honestly, we didn’t think it was gonna happen.”
Given the significance of the news, it seems odd that not a single player was told beforehand, and they found out along with the rest of us. It seems like a decision that would've been shared with them at least minutes before Belichick and Kraft stood at the podium in front of the media, which makes you wonder if it was more of a last-second decision.
Maybe it was thoroughly thought through, like the duo suggested in their statements and perhaps players weren't told earlier due to the risk of the news leaking to the media before they could reveal it themselves.
However, keeping them in the dark regarding news of this nature seems unfair, especially concerning a coach like Belichick. It's not like he was just brought in two years ago and did nothing for the team. And because of that, it feels like an announcement that would be shared with those most impacted by his exit: the players.
But maybe this is standard procedure in the NFL?
Concerns grow over Jonathan Kraft's potential involvement in Patriots football operations
Amongst the chaos before and since Bill Belichick left Foxboro, there have been nonstop rumors and exposés published about all the alleged drama that led to his exit. Most of the chatter referred to his deteriorating relationship with Robert Kraft. However, more recent reports suggest it didn't stop at the elder Kraft; Belichick and Jonathan were also butting heads behind the scenes.
ESPN detailed the sporadic drama between the two a few weeks ago, alleging Kraft was "protective over his father's legacy" and felt much of Belichick's behavior was harming that. On the other hand, it was said that Belichick's increasingly tension-filled relationship with Robert added more fuel to Jonathan's fire, leading to him wanting to see the head coach gone.
Many reporters have claimed Jonathan's continued presence at the stadium and the team began to frustrate Belichick and became part of the foundation on which he built his reason to leave the team.
That's when rumors claimed that the younger Kraft sought more involvement in football operations and decisions, worrying fans that the Patriots were moving too much into a business-like atmosphere rather than football, especially with so many positions needing to be filled.
Because the rumors started to get out of control, Boston Sports Journal's Greg Bedard spoke to one of his sources, who stressed that Jonathan is not involved in any hiring decisions at the moment, as Mayo is responsible for that.
A Patriots source stresses that Jonathan Kraft has not been involved in the coordinator hiring process. "Jerod (Mayo) is doing that."
— Greg A. Bedard (@GregABedard) January 23, 2024
Whether it's simply damage control or not, it's what we have to go off of right now and assume is true. Other moves they've made this offseason, like moving Robyn Glaser from "senior vice president of business affairs and chief administrative and compliance officer for the team" to "executive vice president of football business and senior advisor to the head coach," seems to go against their response about Jonathan.
But time will tell, right? We'll have to wait and see what happens. Hopefully, it's good.
Cam Newton open to playing for the Falcons - could be a Bill Belichick reunion
Among the few players not currently in the NFL but are open to returning, Cam Newton continues to top the list as the most talked about. Because he never officially retired and has hinted at possibly returning to football if the right opportunity came about, his name is always in the conversation regarding a comeback.
The quarterback has discussed it on his podcast "4th & 1" numerous times and again this week during an appearance on NFL Network's Good Morning Football.
Newton was a guest on the show alongside close friend and current tour mate Brandon Marshall, who asked him what the top three teams in the league are that he would be interested in playing for if they made the call.
"It’s not even three. It’s just really one. Me having a family now, it’s always been about family, and I don’t see myself leaving Atlanta. If it’s not Atlanta, I don’t want to do it.”
Will @CameronNewton ever get back in the pads?
— Good Morning Football (@gmfb) January 23, 2024
There's *one* team he'd do it for 👀 pic.twitter.com/oidqwSkUbU
Stressing the importance of remaining with his family, Newton ironically chose the Falcons, who have been interviewing Bill Belichick for the vacant head coach position over the last two weeks.
If the quarterback were to return and play for his home team, he would reunite with his former head coach, whom he played under for one season as a Patriot in 2020. He remained with the team until the start of the following season but eventually returned to the team he saw the most success with, the Panthers.
It would be interesting to see if Belichick would be open to bringing Newton back into the league after he's been gone for the last three years. It didn't seem like the pair were a great match during their time in New England, but Newton has remained complimentary of his stint in Foxboro and his working relationship with the coach.
Patriots reporter believes the team should heavily pursue Calvin Ridley in free agency
Despite the start of free agency not happening for another seven or so weeks, many Patriots fans and reporters have already begun putting together lists of names they believe would be good fits for the team or their dream players to sign there.
Most of the discussion has focused on wide receivers since it is one of the weakest parts of the roster still, and many have taken a liking to a few of the top free agents at the position: Mike Evans, Tee Higgins, and more recently Michael Pittman Jr. But there's another name we should be hoping for as well, according to NBC Sports Boston's Phil Perry.
Calvin Ridley.
"I really like Calvin Ridley... He came back this year and had a 1,000-yard season in Jacksonville. He is an explosive player."
The 29-year-old was a fan favorite when the Falcons were looking to trade him in 2022, despite his season-long suspension due to betting on NFL games the year before. Patriots fans liked the talent he could bring to the team, but Atlanta ended up trading him to Jacksonville for a few mid-round draft picks.
He was reinstated for the 2023 season, where he recorded the second-best season of his career, and is now set to hit free agency again. This could be the opportunity for the Patriots to snag a veteran receiver who would make the offense immensely better than last year.
And because of his availability and likely fair cost, Perry feels the time is now for Jerod Mayo to bring Ridley to New England.
"He's now in his seventh season. I just don't think he's going to command like $20 million a year. He might cost somewhere around $15 or $16 million a year, and that to me would be a tremendous upgrade for your receiver corps, and you're not feeling like you have to reach for a receiver in the draft if the guys you like aren't necessarily there in the first or second round."
Bringing in talent like Ridley would be a significant signing and, as Perry said, help the team focus on other needy positions in the draft, like quarterback and offensive line. Because free agency is over a month before the draft, this gives Mayo plenty of time to sort things out and spend some cash to fill voids on the roster plenty of time before putting together a game plan for the draft.
It may be the most ideal scenario.