will the Pats spend?

[TheRainMaker]

You're going to be at the bottom in spending when 5 rookie contracts and Cam Newton are your QB's.

They (stupidly) tried to sign some big priced WR's (Aiyuk, Ridley, Higgins) who refused to come here. Some I'm sure I've forgotten.

And that is exactly what I'm referring to. The Pats are not spending their money wisely and throwing around money to the wrong players. Higgins was tagged by the way.

The best bargain contract/signing the Pats have had since 2020 was Matt Judon.

 

[rkarp1]

And that is exactly what I'm referring to. The Pats are not spending their money wisely and throwing around money to the wrong players. Higgins was tagged by the way.

The best bargain contract/signing the Pats have had since 2020 was Matt Judon.

Henry, WIlliams, Davis, Chaisson, Diggs all worked out quite well

 

[TheRainMaker]

Henry, WIlliams, Davis, Chaisson, Diggs all worked out quite well

Henry is the 2nd best bargain signing.

Spillane is another bargain.

Chaisson was okay.

No on Diggs. You don't pay $19.8M to a guy limited to the slot when the intention was for him to play outside. The Pats weren't going to pick up the tab for another year of that. That's a terrible use of money and I'm glad the Pats saw that.

Williams is grossly overpaid.

Davis had a fine year, but is overpaid. Bizarre contract.

 

[rkarp1]

Henry is the 2nd best bargain signing.

Spillane is another bargain.

Chaisson was okay.

No on Diggs. You don't pay $19.8M to a guy limited to the slot when the intention was for him to play outside. The Pats weren't going to pick up the tab for another year of that. That's a terrible use of money and I'm glad the Pats saw that.

Williams is grossly overpaid.

Davis had a fine year, but is overpaid. Bizarre contract.

your grading system is grossly broken

 

[TheRainMaker]

your grading system is grossly broken

We'll see about that. Just like I called Diggs to get cut months before his release where posters thought that was outrageous.

It's not that difficult if you are competent enough to follow the numbers and comparable players. Some of you guys think a player must be good.... just because.

 

[Wozzy]

your grading system is grossly broken

Best I can tell Rainmaker thinks the Patriots made the Super Bowl last year using good vibes… because our players all suck.

It’s an odd take… but not so different from the late dynasty where we also had “no talent” but went to 4 Super Bowls and won 3 of them.

Self hating Patriot fans… it’s a thing.

 

[Family]

Chaisson was okay.

No on Diggs. You don't pay $19.8M to a guy limited to the slot when the intention was for him to play outside. The Pats weren't going to pick up the tab for another year of that. That's a terrible use of money and I'm glad the Pats saw that.

Williams is grossly overpaid.

Davis had a fine year, but is overpaid. Bizarre contract.

They were maybe the least talented team in the league, with the most cap, and a young QB who needed veterans around him to show him how to win.

Of course they overpaid.

But was it?

 

[Rob0729]

You're going to be at the bottom in spending when 5 rookie contracts and Cam Newton are your QB's.

They (stupidly) tried to sign some big priced WR's (Aiyuk, Ridley, Higgins) who refused to come here. Some I'm sure I've forgotten.

Well, they got killed for not overpaying to get Ridley who did have a good year in Tennessee and he was always going to be a short term answer.

Who knew Aiyuk was such a turd? And we don't even know how interested the Pats really were because Aiyuk shot down the trade before anything happened. If Aiyuk was interested in going to the Patriots, we don't know if the Pats would have found the 49ers trade asking price or Aiyuk's contract demands were too high.

And Higgins was never on the market, free agency or for trade. Who knows what they would have paid?

I don't blame them for looking at any of those players. They were the best players available at a position of need.

But you cannot blame a team for moves they didn't do since you have no idea how effort they really put into it, how much they were willing to trade, or how much they were willing to trade.

 

[Rob0729]

Henry is the 2nd best bargain signing.

Spillane is another bargain.

Chaisson was okay.

No on Diggs. You don't pay $19.8M to a guy limited to the slot when the intention was for him to play outside. The Pats weren't going to pick up the tab for another year of that. That's a terrible use of money and I'm glad the Pats saw that.

Williams is grossly overpaid.

Davis had a fine year, but is overpaid. Bizarre contract.

Diggs was a bargain. He had 85 catches, 1,013 yard, and 4 TDs and was Maye's primary target and he got #2 WR money. A $19.8 million a year salary is on par with contracts of Jakobi Meyers. There are 24 WRs with higher annual salaries than what Diggs made with the Patriots.
WRs today are getting upwards to $40 million a year (Chase and JSN). $20 million a year for a WR isn't a lot of money. And Diggs was worth every penny. I never got the sticker shock for Diggs contract. I always saw it for what it was - middle of the road #1/top end #2 WR money.

Williams is not grossly overpaid. He is a top 5 DT in this league and he paid like one. He is tied for third in average annual salary for an interior lineman. We saw a huge difference when he was out of the line up. He is the third most talented and important player on this team after Maye and Gonzalez.

 

[rkarp1]

We'll see about that. Just like I called Diggs to get cut months before his release where posters thought that was outrageous.

It's not that difficult if you are competent enough to follow the numbers and comparable players. Some of you guys think a player must be good.... just because.

the way Diggs contract was structured, he was always going to be one and done, unless he re did his deal.

 

[TheRainMaker]

Who knew Aiyuk was such a turd?

People that follow the 49ers. It was pretty well known he had an attitude much we know with Barmore.

And we don't even know how interested the Pats really were because Aiyuk shot down the trade before anything happened. If Aiyuk was interested in going to the Patriots, we don't know if the Pats would have found the 49ers trade asking price or Aiyuk's contract demands were too high.

Wrong. A trade was in place and the Pats had the best contract offer, but Aiyuk immediately shot down the trade.

"I was told that of the teams that were in this, they had the strongest monetary offers in just about every way," Breer said of the Patriots. "They offered him a three-year deal at $90 million. They offered him a four-year deal that averaged $32.4 million per year."

"Aiyuk "showed no interest" in accepting New England's contract terms, according to NBC Sports Bay Area's Matt Maiocco."

Breer details Patriots' trade package, contract offer to Aiyuk

The latest reporting from Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer suggests the Patriots went all-out in their pursuit of Brandon Aiyuk.

www.nbcsportsboston.com

"New England had the parameters of a trade in place with San Francisco. That wasn’t the issue,” Schefter explained. “But they weren’t getting a great vibe here as they tried to conduct communication with Brandon Aiyuk and his agent."

Adam Schefter explained Patriots' decision to opt out of Brandon Aiyuk trade negotiations

ESPN's Adam Schefter offered additional details behind the Patriots' decision to opt out of the Brandon Aiyuk trade negotiations.

www.boston.com

Diggs was a bargain. He had 85 catches, 1,013 yard, and 4 TDs and was Maye's primary target and he got #2 WR money. A $19.8 million a year salary is on par with contracts of Jakobi Meyers. There are 24 WRs with higher annual salaries than what Diggs made with the Patriots.
WRs today are getting upwards to $40 million a year (Chase and JSN). $20 million a year for a WR isn't a lot of money. And Diggs was worth every penny. I never got the sticker shock for Diggs contract. I always saw it for what it was - middle of the road #1/top end #2 WR money.

It was nowhere close to being a bargain and that's why he is no longer with the team. Paying a guy limited to the slot $20M is a terrible use of money. Glad the Pats disagreed with you on that.

Williams is not grossly overpaid. He is a top 5 DT in this league and he paid like one. He is tied for third in average annual salary for an interior lineman. We saw a huge difference when he was out of the line up. He is the third most talented and important player on this team after Maye and Gonzalez.

He's a good player, but he is not even close to being a top 5 DT in the league. In fact, NFL execs, coaches and scouts didn't even put him in the top 20 when the season began and I highly doubt it will be much different going into this season. This is continually ignored by you guys. It seems like you guys cherry pick players without any merit and say "he's among the best!"

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/45530826/ranking-nfl-top-10-defensive-tackles-2025-execs-coaches-scouts-make-their-picks-defensive-tackles

 

[rkarp1]

the Pats

People that follow the 49ers. It was pretty well known he had an attitude much we know with Barmore.

Wrong. A trade was in place and the Pats had the best contract offer, but Aiyuk immediately shot down the trade.

"I was told that of the teams that were in this, they had the strongest monetary offers in just about every way," Breer said of the Patriots. "They offered him a three-year deal at $90 million. They offered him a four-year deal that averaged $32.4 million per year."

"Aiyuk "showed no interest" in accepting New England's contract terms, according to NBC Sports Bay Area's Matt Maiocco."

Breer details Patriots' trade package, contract offer to Aiyuk

The latest reporting from Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer suggests the Patriots went all-out in their pursuit of Brandon Aiyuk.

www.nbcsportsboston.com

"New England had the parameters of a trade in place with San Francisco. That wasn’t the issue,” Schefter explained. “But they weren’t getting a great vibe here as they tried to conduct communication with Brandon Aiyuk and his agent."

Adam Schefter explained Patriots' decision to opt out of Brandon Aiyuk trade negotiations

ESPN's Adam Schefter offered additional details behind the Patriots' decision to opt out of the Brandon Aiyuk trade negotiations.

www.boston.com

It was nowhere close to being a bargain and that's why he is no longer with the team. Paying a guy limited to the slot $20M is a terrible use of money. Glad the Pats disagreed with you on that.

He's a good player, but he is not even close to being a top 5 DT in the league. In fact, NFL execs, coaches and scouts didn't even put him in the top 20 when the season began and I highly doubt it will be much different going into this season. This is continually ignored by you guys. It seems like you guys cherry pick players without any merit and say "he's among the best!"

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/45530826/ranking-nfl-top-10-defensive-tackles-2025-execs-coaches-scouts-make-their-picks-defensive-tackles

the Pats tried to re-do Diggs
get a clue
please

 

[TheRainMaker]

Best I can tell Rainmaker thinks the Patriots made the Super Bowl last year using good vibes… because our players all suck.

It’s an odd take… but not so different from the late dynasty where we also had “no talent” but went to 4 Super Bowls and won 3 of them.

Self hating Patriot fans… it’s a thing.

The Patriots hate on their players every year as they have to make financial decisions based on past and projected future performance. After they signed Dugger to that horrible contract, they found a team that would help them get rid of him. They are haters.

They just kicked Diggs to the curb after he was their leading reciever, but they are haters.

Applying your logic to the conversation, you are hating on Patriots because you don't think Boutte is good enough of a WR if he got more targets as @rkarp1 has proposed. But you flip the script on a poster if they single out another player.

They made the Super Bowl because their young QB played at an MVP level, had competent coaching, last place schedule, got use out of their draft picks, signed competent FA's, played well as a team and got some luck their way facing teams with multiple injuries including a starting QB in the playoffs.

Believe it or not, every team has a weakness and/or players who are underperforming/overpaid.

 

[TheRainMaker]

the Pats

the Pats tried to re-do Diggs
get a clue
please

WTF are you even talking about? No **** they tried to re-do his deal which he declined. That's why he's gone Captain Obvious. They weren't bringing him back at his number over $20M.

Nice rebuttal dude. Lol.

 

[rkarp1]

WTF are you even talking about? No **** they tried to re-do his deal which he declined. That's why he's gone Captain Obvious. They weren't bringing him back at his number over $20M.

Nice rebuttal dude. Lol.

they weren't bringing him back at the year 2 number, the day he signed the deal
1 year at $19m, for 85 rcpts. 70% catch%. 1000 yards. is tremendous value

 

[Rob0729]

People that follow the 49ers. It was pretty well known he had an attitude much we know with Barmore.

Wrong. A trade was in place and the Pats had the best contract offer, but Aiyuk immediately shot down the trade.

"I was told that of the teams that were in this, they had the strongest monetary offers in just about every way," Breer said of the Patriots. "They offered him a three-year deal at $90 million. They offered him a four-year deal that averaged $32.4 million per year."

"Aiyuk "showed no interest" in accepting New England's contract terms, according to NBC Sports Bay Area's Matt Maiocco."

Breer details Patriots' trade package, contract offer to Aiyuk

The latest reporting from Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer suggests the Patriots went all-out in their pursuit of Brandon Aiyuk.

www.nbcsportsboston.com

"New England had the parameters of a trade in place with San Francisco. That wasn’t the issue,” Schefter explained. “But they weren’t getting a great vibe here as they tried to conduct communication with Brandon Aiyuk and his agent."

Adam Schefter explained Patriots' decision to opt out of Brandon Aiyuk trade negotiations

ESPN's Adam Schefter offered additional details behind the Patriots' decision to opt out of the Brandon Aiyuk trade negotiations.

www.boston.com

It was nowhere close to being a bargain and that's why he is no longer with the team. Paying a guy limited to the slot $20M is a terrible use of money. Glad the Pats disagreed with you on that.

He's a good player, but he is not even close to being a top 5 DT in the league. In fact, NFL execs, coaches and scouts didn't even put him in the top 20 when the season began and I highly doubt it will be much different going into this season. This is continually ignored by you guys. It seems like you guys cherry pick players without any merit and say "he's among the best!"

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/45530826/ranking-nfl-top-10-defensive-tackles-2025-execs-coaches-scouts-make-their-picks-defensive-tackles

Diggs isn’t here because he is 32 years old and the Patriots said they wanted to get younger and faster. If Diggs was 30 years old, he might still be here. He was still the back plan if they couldn’t get AJ Brown. You weren’t going to get any better than Diggs for $20 million.

Besides, his contract was structured so that he got more money in 2026 and 2027. And if he was on the roster this year, he would have made less than $19.5 million last year. He only made that much last year because all of his signing bonus is in one year rather than three. I think if he played all three years with the Pats, it would have been closer to $14 million last year. That would have been a real bargain for a 1,000 yard WR. The $19.5 million is all the money he was paid before he was cut for a three contract that he only played one.

PFF has him as one of the top free agent signings.

Ranking the 20 best NFL free-agent signings from the 2025 offseason

Sam Darnold, Davante Adams and Joey Bosa highlight the best free-agent additions by NFL teams prior to the 2025 season.

www.pff.com

SI has him as the 4th best signing and Milton Williams the 6th best:

Top 10 NFL Free Agent Signings of 2025

Two quarterbacks lead our list, along with four defenders and a pair of wide receivers.

www.si.com

And who cares how people saw Milton Williams before he came to the Patriots? He was considered overpaid at the time because the Eagles were really deep at d-line and only used him as a rotational player, but earned every penny of his contract last year. He was a top 5 DT in 2026. He made the Patriots pass rush work and was the reason why the Pats were so dominant against the run. He turned into an every down player with the Patriots and was a stout run defender. Without him, the defense struggled. The defense was far worse when he was injured than when he was in. He was worth every penny of his contract. If you think Williams isn’t a top 20 DT, you don’t understand football and probably shouldn’t be talking about these things.

And again we have no idea what the Pats were willing to give up for Aiyuk.

 

[Family]

Diggs isn’t here because he is 32 years old and the Patriots said they wanted to get younger and faster. If Diggs was 30 years old, he might still be here. He was still the back plan if they couldn’t get AJ Brown. You weren’t going to get any better than Diggs for $20 million.

Besides, his contract was structured so that he got more money in 2026 and 2027. And if he was on the roster this year, he would have made less than $19.5 million last year. He only made that much last year because all of his signing bonus is in one year rather than three. I think if he played all three years with the Pats, it would have been closer to $14 million last year. That would have been a real bargain for a 1,000 yard WR. The $19.5 million is all the money he was paid before he was cut for a three contract that he only played one.

It was always a 1 year 19+ million contract. The rest was cap mumbo jumbo.

Did the team expect Diggs to perform better?

They never intended to pay 24 million cap this year.

 

[Rob0729]

It was always a 1 year 19+ million contract. The rest was cap mumbo jumbo.

Did the team expect Diggs to perform better?

They never intended to pay 24 million cap this year.

The odds were good it was only a one year deal, but it wasn’t guaranteed. But I don’t think they would have kept him on the same deal without renegotiations.

But even so, $20 million for a 85 catch, 1,000 yard WR is a bargain in today’s NFL. It is half of what the top WRs make.

And I think the Pats were more than happy with his performance at least in the regular season. But no one played well in the post season on offense. At least not with any regularity.

And Diggs brought a lot of leadership and mentoring for the young WRs which is very valuable too. It was a bigger thing since it was the first year of a new coaching staff and system.

 

[Family]

The odds were good it was only a one year deal, but it wasn’t guaranteed. But I don’t think they would have kept him on the same deal without renegotiations.

Yes they would have renegotiated to bring the cap number reasonable, while pushing forward a reasonable dead cap for 2027. I'd view that as just another one year deal.

But the intent was never to play this year under that same contract.

 

[TheRainMaker]

He was a top 5 DT in 2026.

If you think Williams isn’t a top 20 DT, you don’t understand football and probably shouldn’t be talking about these things.

Again, you're saying this just because with no evidence other than "they were good with him and struggled with out him". Okay...cool. There are other DT's in the NFL that were.... better.

A top 5 DT plays at least 70% of the teams snaps. He was at 61% before his injury. His production pre injury was nowhere close to what he was paid for. In a month we will find out what NFL execs, coaches and scouts rank him after 2025.

In the meantime, PFF can't even save you here. Not even in the top 25. But since this doesn't go in your favor, PFF is completely out of line.

Highest-graded interior defenders from the 2025 NFL season: Cameron Heyward leads the list

Thomas Valentine breaks down the 20 highest-graded interior defenders from the 2025 NFL season, starting with the Steelers' Cameron Heyward.

www.pff.com

And again we have no idea what the Pats were willing to give up for Aiyuk.

If you are able to read it was stated the Pats were willing to part with a 2nd round pick and Bourne was going to be thrown in.

"If a deal had gotten done, it would have been for a 2025 second-round pick, a 2026 fourth-round pick and (Patriots wide receiver) Kendrick Bourne," Breer said."

Some of you guys are really lazy.