Hendrickson - or Chaisson AND Mafe

mgteich · Mar 7, 2026

We badly need EDGE rushers.

One option is to sign Chaisson and one of the top DE's not named Henrickson.

The cost may be similar.

TheRainMaker · Mar 7, 2026

Hendrickson or bust. All the others are a step down. Chaisson shouldn't be a full time starter.

There are risks with both approaches. By going the "moneyball" route, you get what you pay for. On the other hand, Pats are screwed if Henderson gets injured.

I think the reward outweighs the risk with Hendrickson. He's the closest player to Garrett that can wreck offenses.

mgteich · Mar 7, 2026

TheRainMaker said:
Hendrickson or bust. All the others are a step down. Chaisson shouldn't be a full time starter.

There are risks with both approaches. By going the "moneyball" route, you get what you pay for. On the other hand, Pats are screwed if Henderson gets injured.

I think the reward outweighs the risk with Hendrickson. He's the closest player to Garrett that can wreck offenses.

Ok. you have chosen Henrickson and Landry or a draftee to be your starters.

TheRainMaker · Mar 7, 2026

mgteich said:
Ok. you have chosen Henrickson and Landry or a draftee to be your starters.

If they don't land Hendrickson, then they go the "moneyball route" and draft someone within the first 3 rounds.

Zuma · Mar 7, 2026

Chaisson and Philips

Hugepatsfan · Mar 7, 2026

Hendrickson and Chaisson and make up the money elsewhere.

JohnJH · Mar 7, 2026

Mafe and trade for Thibideax.

TheRainMaker · Mar 7, 2026

Bottom line is that the Pats need to make a splash at one position whether it's Edge, OL or WR.

mgteich · Mar 7, 2026

TheRainMaker said:
Bottom line is that the Pats need to make a splash at one position whether it's Edge, OL or WR.

Have a bit of trust.

We will have dodged many bullets by the time the season starts.

Vrabel will almost certainly add help at 2 of those positions, probably all three.

I'm NOT ready to win the battle for Hendrickson who will likely go to Dallas for $30-35M AAV.

EDGE
I am more than fine with Chaisson plus one more of the top EDGE players. I understand that we might wait until the first 2 rounds of the draft.

OL
I certainly want to see us land a top starter. The minimum should be is a good starter at LG. I don't think that we are drafting a starting LG.

WR
We'll add one early, perhaps in late free agency, and a draftee or two.

Wozzy · Mar 7, 2026

Just for reference, can anyone name a single defensive end on our roster last season?

Landry, Chaisson, Ponder and Jennings are all outside linebackers…. like that head coach of ours.

Milton Williams is arguably the only true DE there and he’s as much a DT as DE.

Hendrickson is a true DE. Do I think they could alter the system to fit him in there… sure they could. But Chaisson or Mafe fit the OLB mold better and would probably be more cost effective. Something to consider….

Toofy · Mar 7, 2026

Chaisson + mafe... If hendrickson is also injured like landry . We are paying 50 million for 2 players who are not playing.

Toofy · Mar 7, 2026

Unless Hendrickson guarantees are around 14 million + pay time escalators taking to 20 million and performance taking to 24-25.

PatsFan2 · Mar 7, 2026

Landry didn't sign that injury settlement yet??

patfanken · Mar 8, 2026

I'm surprised I'm not hearing more calls for Jaylen Phillips on the board. I Think I'd be more comfortable with Mafe or Phillips or Chassion than Hendrickson. I also wish we knew more about Landry's injury situation. We know he valiantly played through a knee injury that clearly affected his play. I want him back, but only if he's healthy. Also I only resign Chassion ONLY if he commits to work to get stronger this off season. He gets stoned too often if he doesn't win with his first move quickness. I love his motor, but he needs to get more powerful.

DoubleDeluxe · Mar 8, 2026

JohnJH said:
Mafe and trade for Thibideax.

I'm truly perplexed by the Thib love some people have.
He is not that good.
There is a reason the Giants want to trade him.
Yes I know they have Burns and Carter, but they wouldn't have drafted Carter in the first place if Thib was a difference maker.

DoubleDeluxe · Mar 8, 2026

DoubleDeluxe said:
I'm truly perplexed by the Thib love some people have.
He is not that good.
There is a reason the Giants want to trade him.
Yes I know they have Burns and Carter, but they wouldn't have drafted Carter in the first place if Thib was a difference maker.

I pointed out in the Draft forum, Clowney should be getting talked about more.
He had 8.5 sacks in 13 games last year and he's also good against the run.
He's still productive.
I would be very interested in him on a one year, chase a ring deal.

gobesmug · Mar 8, 2026

Toofy said:
Unless Hendrickson guarantees are around 14 million + pay time escalators taking to 20 million and performance taking to 24-25.

That seems highly unlikely. Dude is going to get paid

TommyD4207 · Mar 8, 2026

DoubleDeluxe said:
I'm truly perplexed by the Thib love some people have.
He is not that good.
There is a reason the Giants want to trade him.
Yes I know they have Burns and Carter, but they wouldn't have drafted Carter in the first place if Thib was a difference maker.

I like his skillset.
He makes way too much money for the production he's actually had. I'd be happy with the player but not his cap number, is basically where I'm at on him. And he's still pretty young.

It's sort of like how I am with Hendrickson, I like Hendrickson as a player, I have no interest in him at 30 mil/yr.

jdlboot14 · Mar 8, 2026

We have to stop signing old players based on their 10+ years of prime production. No to Hendrickson (31)
Chaisson (27) is not a top-echelon DE, but he stabilized our team with starting caliber skill set.
He and another solid Vet (to take place of Landry - who is done) would be nice: like Oweh (27)
Added to a developing Ponder & maybe Swinson - plus a top round draft EDGE.

Real fan 02 · Mar 8, 2026

TheRainMaker said:
Hendrickson or bust. All the others are a step down. Chaisson shouldn't be a full time starter.

There are risks with both approaches. By going the "moneyball" route, you get what you pay for. On the other hand, Pats are screwed if Henderson gets injured.

I think the reward outweighs the risk with Hendrickson. He's the closest player to Garrett that can wreck offenses.

Agreed.. I've always liked Hendrickson.. it's just those 2 elements.. age & injury.. we currently are dealing with this right now with H. Landry. I like the idea of him here.. but we also need another starter aacross from him.. because the way I see it probably sometime this offseason wouldn't be the least suprised to see a press conference of landry announcement of retirement.. with that injury..

Mafe and Hendrickson would be a nice tandem.. then you have the draft and guys like Ponder coming on at edge too..

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