2021 NFL Free Agency/Trade News & Discussion: March Edition

[Rob0729]

BTW, don't discount that Gronk might have wanted to play for his hometown team now that he has four rings and the Bills are a Super Bowl contender anyway. Obviously, Tampa was the better choice for him, but I wouldn't be surprised if he gave the Bills far more than a passing thought.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Well, signing both Henry and Smith has a double win then. The Bills obviously making TE a priority and the the Pats got two of the three best TEs on the market. The Pats got better while blocking the Bills from getting better.

I was thinking the same thing.

BB wanted Henry but BUF NEEDED him.

 

[amfootball]

I would think with the receivers we signed, we are releasing Edelman.

 

[DW Toys]

I think our aggressive FA acquisitions had a two fold purpose:

a.) Lock down these guys now while the cap is low. When the cap goes up post-COVID...these deals will be a bargain.

b.) By building in FA, this allows us the flexibility of giving up a 2021 1st, a 2021 2nd, a 2022 1st, and a 2022 2nd to move up for a QB and have the kid on a rookie deal until 2023 when we can build thru the draft again.

Why all the naysayers Cousins?
We had one of the worst rosters in the NFL and still won 7 games. That itself was a victory. Covid did not help. He should have got Coach of the Year for trying with that motley bunch.
He has the funds to flip the roster for the first time in 20 years and he is taking advantage of it. They must all have Pats traits to allow very little discovery like the face to face prior years and work outs.
Will see how it goes. No talent excuse now. Can we win just 4 more games? ...just 4 more with this new roster. That would put us in the playoffs I believe.
DW Toys

 

[venecol]

usually when we don't understand a process, we say it is "rigged".

I think the Glazers are handing out a ton of upfront cash in the form of bonuses and Licht is adding voidable years at the end of these contracts to lower their cap hits, plus freeing up space from existing restructures / extensions.

There's no secret really, impressive because they're getting guys to not break the bank to keep it all together.

Bill is handing out a ton of upfront cash also, apparently more than in the last 3-5 seasons combined. That's what it took to get some of these players.

 

[jah]

KVN
DW Toys

KVN is not (fully) an ILB, he was at his best playing the 3-4 SLB type of role here. We have plenty of that type of player. While I'm sure this team would find good use for KVN, he would not fill that ILB need.

 

[long distance]

I would think with the receivers we signed, we are releasing Edelman.

There was always a decent chance he'd retire..

 

[NYCPATS4LIFE]

I feel like they could use another speedster. Golladay and fuller still out there.

 

[UGAPatsfan]

There was always a decent chance he'd retire..

I actually hope he does

 

[NYCPATS4LIFE]

You figure Hunter Henry chose the corpse of Cam Newton over playing with Herbert, and that's why he'll be playing for New England?

I think they will do something at QB. Either they trade up for a QB in th draft or they get another QB through free agency.

 

[jah]

There was always a decent chance he'd retire..

None of Edelman's public statements or social media posts have indicated anything other than enthusiastically preparing to play this year (and maybe even beyond) for the Patriots. I think if the road ends here for him, it won't be on his terms. I think we have a spot for him on this year's 53, personally, even if we don't have a spot for him in the primary rotation.

 

[Sicilian]

Why all the naysayers Cousins?
We had one of the worst rosters in the NFL and still won 7 games. That itself was a victory. Covid did not help. He should have got Coach of the Year for trying with that motley bunch.
He has the funds to flip the roster for the first time in 20 years and he is taking advantage of it. They must all have Pats traits to allow very little discovery like the face to face prior years and work outs.
Will see how it goes. No talent excuse now. Can we win just 4 more games? ...just 4 more with this new roster. That would put us in the playoffs I believe.
DW Toys

I would say 10 wins will get you in 99% of the time while there are three wild card spots. Though with the 17th game now, it's harder to judge. I think 11-6 definitely gets in this year, and is within reach assuming the Pats have an average year for injuries.

 

[long distance]

Bill is handing out a ton of upfront cash also, apparently more than in the last 3-5 seasons combined. That's what it took to get some of these players.

He is balancing this by backloading other contracts. 2/3 contracts w confirmed details are significantly backloaded. They have ton of space ahead to do that. Only where they needed guarantees for competitive advantage they used it.

 

[long distance]

None of Edelman's public statements or social media posts have indicated anything other than enthusiastically preparing to play this year (and maybe even beyond) for the Patriots. I think if the road ends here for him, it won't be on his terms. I think we have a spot for him on this year's 53, personally, even if we don't have a spot for him in the primary rotation.

There were reports of some knee rehab complications - fwiw..

 

[venecol]

BTW, don't discount that Gronk might have wanted to play for his hometown team now that he has four rings and the Bills are a Super Bowl contender anyway. Obviously, Tampa was the better choice for him, but I wouldn't be surprised if he gave the Bills far more than a passing thought.

 

[venecol]

He is balancing this by backloading other contracts. 2/3 contracts w confirmed details are significantly backloaded. They have ton of space ahead to tho that. Only where they needed guarantees for competitive advantage they used it.

They're close to $100M in guarantees!

 

[Brotherblues]

Henry walked away for cash, let's be real.

Also the pats were 7-9 last season and have added a lot of talent. These moves make the Pats poised for a playoff spot.

Just no more than that though until the QB situation is rectified. The current look on the offense (Henry + Smith + Bourne = quick easy reads, easy throws) seems tailored to Cam or a rookie. There's just a very hard, fairly low ceiling with Cam (and nearly any rookie) at the controls.

 

[Hammer of Thor]

 

[imahobgoblin]

I feel like they could use another speedster. Golladay and fuller still out there.

That is not a reasonable contract. There will be a speedster in the draft. Algholor can take the top off the defense, but a 5th WR who is pure speed could be a cheap answer. Who are the 5? Jules retires/cut. N'Keal traded. Jacoby, Algholor, Marqise Lee, Gunner, and Bourne right now.

 

[Todd Bradley]

Come on Bill...do something....it's been 3 whole hours...