Patriots Can’t Be Afraid to Do Something Stupid in Free Agency | Karen Guregian
New England Patriots Must Take Risks in Free Agency to Break Out of Mediocrity
By Karen Guregian, Boston Herald
As the NFL offseason progresses and teams across the league make their moves in free agency, one thing is abundantly clear: The New England Patriots, under head coach Bill Belichick, cannot afford to be afraid of doing something bold or even perceived as “stupid.” After a lackluster performance in 2023, a season that saw them fall short of the playoffs once again, the Patriots are at a crossroads. Their roster is in need of significant upgrades, and the competition within the AFC East and the NFL as a whole continues to intensify.
For Belichick and the Patriots front office, the typical measured, conservative approach in free agency might no longer be enough. It’s time for the Patriots to take risks, embrace bold moves, and make some decisions that might seem “stupid” at first glance — but could pay off in a big way. For too long, the Patriots have been stuck in a cycle of mediocrity, and it’s time for a change.
The State of the Patriots Heading Into 2024
When the Patriots finished their 2023 campaign, it was clear that their roster had significant holes. While their defense, under the guidance of defensive coordinator Jerod Mayo, remained competitive, the offense continued to struggle. The team’s offensive line was inconsistent, and the lack of a true No. 1 wide receiver became more glaring as the season went on. Quarterback Mac Jones, despite flashes of promise in his rookie year, had a rough 2023 season, hindered by a lack of proper coaching and talent surrounding him. And even though the Patriots tried to address some of their offensive woes through the 2022 draft and 2023 free agency, the moves they made didn’t move the needle enough to compete with the AFC’s top teams.
In fact, the Patriots have largely found themselves on the outside looking in when it comes to playoff contention over the last few years. Even though Belichick remains one of the greatest head coaches in NFL history, the Patriots’ struggles to reload their roster in key areas have been apparent. Teams like the Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, and New York Jets have made significant strides in recent years, and the Patriots are no longer the dominant force in the AFC East.
In 2024, the Patriots cannot afford to rely solely on their traditional approach to roster-building. They must be more aggressive in free agency, willing to make moves that may carry some risk, but could ultimately elevate their team and get them back into contention.
The Problem with Playing it Safe
For years, the Patriots have been known for their methodical, calculated approach to free agency. They often target mid-tier free agents, making short-term, low-risk moves in hopes of filling gaps without committing to long-term contracts. While this strategy worked well during the peak of the Tom Brady era, the game has changed.
In recent years, the Patriots have failed to land any significant impact players in free agency. The team’s decision to largely sit out the high-profile player market has hurt them. After all, while draft picks are important, you can’t rely solely on them to fill every need. The 2023 free-agent class, which included standout players like wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, and cornerback Jalen Ramsey, offered plenty of opportunities for teams to make bold moves. But the Patriots largely avoided any major splash signings, and the results were predictable: another subpar season with a lack of offensive playmakers, and a continued inability to make significant strides in the AFC.
The fear of making mistakes in free agency has stifled the Patriots’ ability to take advantage of a market full of talented players. As a result, they’ve watched other teams, particularly within their division, improve by making aggressive moves. The Buffalo Bills added key players to bolster their defense, while the Miami Dolphins made significant trades and signings to build one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL. Even the Jets, a team that had been mired in mediocrity for years, took a big swing by acquiring quarterback Aaron Rodgers in a trade with the Green Bay Packers.
The Patriots’ failure to make similar bold moves leaves them with an uphill battle to remain competitive in the AFC East, let alone in the AFC as a whole. While the Patriots’ philosophy of taking calculated risks might have worked during the Brady years, it’s becoming evident that it won’t be enough in the current landscape of the NFL.
The Need for a Bold, Unconventional Approach
Now is the time for the Patriots to step out of their comfort zone and embrace some risk in free agency. The NFL is a league that rewards boldness, and it’s clear that the Patriots have not been bold enough in recent years. It’s easy to point to past failures or mistakes, like the signing of former wide receiver N’Keal Harry or the disappointing acquisition of offensive tackle Isaiah Wynn, but those failures should not paralyze the team’s decision-making going forward. Instead, the Patriots must be willing to do something that might be labeled as “stupid” by the media or fans but could potentially pay off in the long run.
This doesn’t mean that Belichick should completely abandon his traditional values or disregard the importance of team-building and long-term success. But if the Patriots are to have any hope of breaking out of their current mediocrity, they need to be open to making risky signings, whether it’s going after a star receiver like Hopkins or making a trade for a quarterback with potential like Derek Carr or Jimmy Garoppolo.
The Patriots should also consider taking more significant risks on players coming off of injury or players who might be overlooked by other teams. For example, players like wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. or pass rusher Jadeveon Clowney are high-profile names, but their potential to return to form and make an immediate impact on the field could make them valuable acquisitions for the right price. There’s a chance that these players could fail to meet expectations, but if they succeed, the Patriots could find themselves with a major playmaker that elevates their team.
Additionally, it’s time for the Patriots to start thinking about the future of their quarterback position. Mac Jones has had some rough patches, and while it’s too soon to give up on him completely, it’s becoming evident that he needs more support to succeed. If there’s an opportunity to acquire a proven quarterback who could step in and immediately make a difference, the Patriots shouldn’t shy away from it. Whether it’s pursuing a veteran like Garoppolo, who could return to New England, or exploring trade options with teams in need of a quarterback, the Patriots must be willing to take a risk in order to elevate the position.
Conclusion
The New England Patriots are at a crossroads. While the team has traditionally taken a conservative approach to roster-building and free agency, the landscape of the NFL has changed. The competition within the AFC East and the broader NFL is fiercer than ever, and the Patriots must find ways to break free from their current mediocrity.
Bill Belichick and the Patriots front office cannot afford to be afraid of taking risks this offseason. Whether it’s pursuing high-profile players or making unconventional moves, the Patriots must embrace the possibility of doing something that might seem “stupid” but could lead to long-term success. The time for playing it safe has passed. The Patriots need to make bold moves in free agency if they hope to get back to being a championship contender in the near future. Now is the time to take risks and do something big, even if it means doing something “stupid.”
It may be the only way to return to the top of the NFL once again.