The Patriots have a lot of difficult and important decisions to make this offseason, whether it's adding or subtracting guys. And oftentimes, when new guys come in, whether via free agency or draft, there will be some guys on the chopping block.
With Mike Vrabel and Eliot Wolf's top offseason mission of reconstructing the roster ahead of them, there will probably be some guys under contract from last season's club that could very well be released before training camp.
The NFL is a business, and it's a ruthless one at that. The Patriots don't have room for everyone, especially as they try to move forward from consecutive 4-13 seasons.
3 players the Patriots should cut this offseason
1. WR Kendrick Bourne
This is a tough one because Bourne has been the consummate team guy since joining the Patriots as a free agent in 2021. But assuming the team restructures its wide receiver core, someone has to be the odd man out, and Bourne looks like he could be that man.
Bourned signed a three-year contract extension last offseason and is set to make a 5.5 million base salary this season. Releasing Bourne would give the Patriots financial flexibility and allow the veteran wideout to sign with a contender.
If the Patriots make splashes at this position in the draft and in free agency, they may have no choice but to part ways with Bourne. If Bourne is released prior to June 1, the team would save nearly $5 million in cap space.
2. S Jabrill Peppers
Peppers had his share of off-the-field issues last season and has another expensive salary, as the safety signed a three-year extension worth $24 million last season.
While Peppers had a career year in 2023, he was in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons in 2024. Cutting a member of the defense likely wouldn't be the best idea, but Peppers could very well be another "odd man out" if the Patriots upgrade the secondary this offseason.
Secondary mate Kyle Dugger is signed through 2027, but Dugger's versatility is needed in the back end of the secondary. Plus, Dugger's contract has $32 million in guaranteed money.
3. RB Rhamondre Stevenson
Another guy the Patriots gave a whopping contract extension to last season - Stevenson is signed through 2028 - could be a candidate to be released this offseason.
Stevenson's ball-security issues (six fumbles, three lost) cropped up last season, and Vrabel will not put up with that. If Stevenson sticks around and can't hold onto the ball, don't be surprised if 2024 is his final season in New England.
The Patriots haven't had a dominant running back since Corey Dillon was here nearly 20 years ago and cycled through many feature backs while the team was winning Super Bowls. But, New England's patience with Stevenson could be wearing thin, and it wouldn't be overly shocking if the Patriots move on from him.