NFL News Official 2025 NFL Free Agency Thread

[Hugepatsfan]

Moses, Onwenu, and Strange at RT, RG, and Center respectively are average to above average. If the Pats wanted to sign a LG in FA that is average to above average they could (or they could have traded for Thuney) - maybe the Pats think the options already on the roster are average. LT is the real hole that needs to be plugged. The rest can be improved, but are OK.

Lowe has been DECISIVELY better as a LT than any of Sow/Robinson/JAndrews have been at LG though. Not saying I don't see developmental potential in those guys, but as of right now I disagree that LT is the weakest link on the OL. It's more valuable and if given the choice I'd rather "fix" the LT spot, but the LG is probably more so in need of fixing. It's just easier to fix so not as much of a priority, but make no mistake we absolutely suck there unless someone takes a leap.

 

[BUSTAMOVE]

You are assuming “ they” put it out, when it’s more likely a leak or an assumption by the media. I seriously doubt Vrabel or anyone else high up told this to talking head. And it’s not like we didn’t already know these concerns.

Was going to say the same thing
Probably his camp telling reporters he hasn’t signed yet because teams want his contract to be too incentive laden
This guy gets a hold of this info and throws the Patriots name into the narrative
Do you think Carlos Lopez is getting exclusive info from Vrabel’s team but not Reiss

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Lowe has been DECISIVELY better as a LT than any of Sow/Robinson/JAndrews have been at LG though. Not saying I don't see developmental potential in those guys, but as of right now I disagree that LT is the weakest link on the OL. It's more valuable and if given the choice I'd rather "fix" the LT spot, but the LG is probably more so in need of fixing. It's just easier to fix so not as much of a priority, but make no mistake we absolutely suck there unless someone takes a leap.

Sow and JAndrews showed promise before both being hurt all of 2024 so it is hard to judge. I agreed that they are huge projections, but if Vrabel and crew think LG is the hole why not sign a better guard in FA?

 

[Hugepatsfan]

You are assuming “ they” put it out, when it’s more likely a leak or an assumption by the media. I seriously doubt Vrabel or anyone else high up told this to talking head. And it’s not like we didn’t already know these concerns.

Fair. But I take Breer seriously as a reporter. I don't believe he'd say it was a source from the organization unless it was and whoever that source is doesn't have a clue. With Breer saying they're not being cheap it sounds like someone trying to get the message out there to the fan base to calm them down, but they're digging their grave further because now they might alienate the player they supposedly still want, just on incentives deal.

If Felger said it I'd dismiss it because he has no journalistic integrity (though to be fair, he doesn't even pretend to - he doesn't bother acting like he has sources he just admits that he makes stuff up for fun lol). Volin or Giardi are clowns who probably don't vet anything they find because they'd rather run with their agenda.

 

[Huckleberry1]

Fair. But I take Breer seriously as a reporter. I don't believe he'd say it was a source from the organization unless it was and whoever that source is doesn't have a clue. With Breer saying they're not being cheap it sounds like someone trying to get the message out there to the fan base to calm them down, but they're digging their grave further because now they might alienate the player they supposedly still want, just on incentives deal.

If Felger said it I'd dismiss it because he has no journalistic integrity (though to be fair, he doesn't even pretend to - he doesn't bother acting like he has sources he just admits that he makes stuff up for fun lol). Volin or Giardi are clowns who probably don't vet anything they find because they'd rather run with their agenda.

Fair enough. As much as they need a left tackle any contract they sign with Cam Robinson has to be incentive laden, as he is a career underachiever. It would be completely irresponsible to give him a big money contract but not make him earn it.

 

[Huckleberry1]

Since the start of the "legal tampering" period when deals essentially start getting announced begins in about 20 minutes, I am starting up a new thread to start us off fresh. Please post any free agency-related news here, whether that is a Pats signing, an interesting signing by a different team, a rumor, etc.

If we do have a confirmed Pats signing/trade/etc, we will want to start a new thread to discuss that acquisition specifically as well.

Thanks everyone and, as our most favorite ex-HC once said, let's start "burning some cash"!

Great work managing this stuff Ross.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Fair enough. As much as they need a left tackle any contract they sign with Cam Robinson has to be incentive laden, as he is a career underachiever. It would be completely irresponsible to give him a big money contract but not make him earn it.

It would also be irresponsible to make the contract more than 2 or 3 years, hopefully 2.

 

[Steve102]

Fair enough. As much as they need a left tackle any contract they sign with Cam Robinson has to be incentive laden, as he is a career underachiever. It would be completely irresponsible to give him a big money contract but not make him earn it.

How does that look?

Hey, Cam, here's the deal. We like you when you're on, but you're a lazy eff and you take big swaths off. Since your not professional, here's a wicked incentive laden contract. We ain't paying you to go thru the motions, but if you perform, you'll make bank.

 

[Dec54]

How does that look?

Hey, Cam, here's the deal. We like you when you're on, but you're a lazy eff and you take big swaths off. Since your not professional, here's a wicked incentive laden contract. We ain't paying you to go thru the motions, but if you perform, you'll make bank.

Seems reasonable to me.

 

[Dec54]

Seems reasonable to me.

He must be as we in the UK would say "a lazy git"

 

[mike_usagisan]

How does that look?

Hey, Cam, here's the deal. We like you when you're on, but you're a lazy eff and you take big swaths off. Since your not professional, here's a wicked incentive laden contract. We ain't paying you to go thru the motions, but if you perform, you'll make bank.

I would imagine a little sweet talking first. Maybe start off talking about the total contract and gloss over the not-so-great guarantees part.

 

[Huckleberry1]

How does that look?

Hey, Cam, here's the deal. We like you when you're on, but you're a lazy eff and you take big swaths off. Since your not professional, here's a wicked incentive laden contract. We ain't paying you to go thru the motions, but if you perform, you'll make bank.

Incentive laden contracts are commonplace. With Robinson I’m sure there will be weight clauses, but they could also put in clauses related to pressures and/or sacks allowed, games/snaps played etc…

 

[Hugepatsfan]

How does that look?

Hey, Cam, here's the deal. We like you when you're on, but you're a lazy eff and you take big swaths off. Since your not professional, here's a wicked incentive laden contract. We ain't paying you to go thru the motions, but if you perform, you'll make bank.

This is part of why players have agents. That's a tough conversation to have face to face with the player and gets the relationship off to a bad start. You can have a more level headed discussion with the agent. You present him your incentive laden offer. He pushes for more guarantee, you express your hesitancy. Then he goes back to the player and presents your offer along with the others absent of the emotion and has a more rational discussion about waying higher guarantees from another team maybe vs. a higher payout via incentives opportunity.

 

[Hugepatsfan]

Incentive laden contracts are commonplace. With Robinson I’m sure there will be weight clauses, but they could also put in clauses related to pressures and/or sacks allowed, games/snaps played etc…

That's tough. I think it sets up some conflict between coaches and players. Like let's say they bring in Cam for LT but Moses sucks at RT or gets hurt and the new guy sucks. They start putting all the help to the RT and leave Cam on an island at LT. He's going to give up more pressures and now you've incentivized him to ***** about the scheme. There's also the issue of how pressures or sacks allowed are tracked.

If they do incentives, I'd expect they stick to games played, playing time %, pro bowl/all pro incentives... things that are a little more general and less open for complaints.

 

[Huckleberry1]

If they don’t get Robinson because he doesn’t want incentive clauses then F him. Yes Cam, your ass is fat.

 

[signbabybrady]

Lowe has been DECISIVELY better as a LT than any of Sow/Robinson/JAndrews have been at LG though. Not saying I don't see developmental potential in those guys, but as of right now I disagree that LT is the weakest link on the OL. It's more valuable and if given the choice I'd rather "fix" the LT spot, but the LG is probably more so in need of fixing. It's just easier to fix so not as much of a priority, but make no mistake we absolutely suck there unless someone takes a leap.

This is a very reasonable take.

One of the the things that makes projecting our IOL needs hard is Strange and Andrews health. We don't even know if Andrews will be back and it's hard to have any clue what Vrabel thinks of Strange and he's only played 2 games since his injury. Does Vrabel see Strange as starter and at which position guard or center.

We do however know how important LT is and that Lowe really isn't fit for it. Could he improve with better play at the other 4 spots? Sure. Will he benefit from McD and Marrone's coaching? Very likely. Personally I feel comfortable with Lowe as a key backup but not as a starter.

 

[Ring 6]

Sow and JAndrews showed promise before both being hurt all of 2024 so it is hard to judge. I agreed that they are huge projections, but if Vrabel and crew think LG is the hole why not sign a better guard in FA?

Well that’s the point, they need to sign one in FA.

 

[Ring 6]

Lowe has been DECISIVELY better as a LT than any of Sow/Robinson/JAndrews have been at LG though. Not saying I don't see developmental potential in those guys, but as of right now I disagree that LT is the weakest link on the OL. It's more valuable and if given the choice I'd rather "fix" the LT spot, but the LG is probably more so in need of fixing. It's just easier to fix so not as much of a priority, but make no mistake we absolutely suck there unless someone takes a leap.

Lowe is pathetic, the Gs are worse
But LT is a much more vital position so it is a bigger need.
Lowe and a good G still gets Maye killed.
A good LT and slot at LG has less negative impact.

 

[Ross12]

That's tough. I think it sets up some conflict between coaches and players. Like let's say they bring in Cam for LT but Moses sucks at RT or gets hurt and the new guy sucks. They start putting all the help to the RT and leave Cam on an island at LT. He's going to give up more pressures and now you've incentivized him to ***** about the scheme. There's also the issue of how pressures or sacks allowed are tracked.

If they do incentives, I'd expect they stick to games played, playing time %, pro bowl/all pro incentives... things that are a little more general and less open for complaints.

We established earlier in the thread that incentives for individual OL performance are not permitted. The closest option is "team sacked allowed", which is based on how the entire team did - not just the single player. It's unlikely they'll use that, beyond perhaps a very small incentive. Playing time, roster bonuses, reporting bonuses, weight targets are all much more sensible.

 

[dliverey44]

Pretty ridiculous that they let that report on Cam Robinson get out. It's one thing to feel that way internally, but why TF would he sign here with that out there. It's so demeaning and disrespectful and now if you do sign him to the incentive laden deal you want, you've put him square in the cross hairs of loser dweebs like Felger and Giardi who don't even watch football and just drum up **** posting and delusional radio callers to rag on him all year and make him hate it here, even if he does play hard and play well.

It could be that they have little interest in him, but they are using this as a challenge to see if he then pursues them and it like I can ****ing do it. I am not a huge fan of Cam, he played relatively well in Jax before he went to Minnesota. I don't think he is a huge upgrade over Lowe though.