"I didn't expect them to win a ring before optouts, now they have to rely on rookies and second year players more than they did before. This is a reloading year." - Wozzy: Aug 12, 2020
Just as the original poster suggested, the Patriots had been in a win now mode in the final years before Tom's departure. They borrowed from the future to make deals happen, they only employed vet weapons until 2019 which are more expensive than rookies. They had the best defense, special teams and O-Line in the league for years running. They were paying Tom and Gronk on base deals, renegotiating incentives each year to keep them paid and the salary cap flexible. It had run it's course in the end, and the best move for both sides was to move on. Tom could go to a super team in Tampa for his best chance to win, BB could shed cap debt/dead weight in a transition season and build another franchise going forward. It was a longterm, "big picture" move to hit the reset button.
Fans here may not like it, or even understand it... but that's what it was. They can also complain all they want about BB sucking, his poor drafting yada yada... but with Cam or Stidham playing well, this would be a competitive team in the "rebuilding" year.
Not impressed? Consider what a rebuild looks like on other teams, a fire sale of all the best players to the point of reaching a one or two win season (or more seasons) and mass accumulation of draft picks. The 2020 Patriots had a chance, unfortunately both QB options fell flat on their face. Oh well... deal with it, it's (potentially) only the third season in two decades you've had to endure more than six losses. Tell it to the Bengals and Browns.
If PFF compiled a ridiculous stat like "big time throws" that measured which team was best positioned to improve in 2021 the Patriots would rank #1. Not only do they rank tops amongst teams in available cap space vs players signed, but also with the most draft picks. Nobody has a better combination of these things. The reason Tampa was able to build a super team was because they had a good base of young players (New England), they had a huge wad of cash to spend (New England), all they were missing was a QB (New England) and some key pieces (wherever) along the O-Line. The Patriots have an incredible opportunity to improve next year.
Every moaning whining entitled Pat's fan should read this and try to pull their head from their ass long enough to try and understand it. The Pats aren't in cap hell, they are one and a half seasons removed from a championship with the most resources available to improve in 2021... so quit your f-ing moaning and telling us "BB sucks." No offense, but you're shortsighted entitled "fans" with zero perspective on how good you have it, even in the midst of a losing season.
