The New England Patriots have entered unknown ground by firing six-time Super Bowl champion Bill Belichick and replacing him with first-year head coach Jerod Mayo.
Moving on from the greatest coach of all time may appear to be a step back, but the Patriots have the freedom to begin the next chapter in team history in better form than the Belichick era ended. With that in mind, here are some trades, cuts, and signings that New England should consider in the coming months.
Make a blockbuster trade with the Denver Broncos.
Despite the need for a franchise quarterback, the Patriots do not appear to be committed to addressing the position with the third overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft. ESPN’s Dan Graziano reported earlier this month that some league members believe New England is willing to pursue a veteran quarterback in free agency and move back in the first round of the April selection.
While Graziano cited Atlanta and Minnesota as prospective trade partners, a deal with Denver makes sense for both parties and may provide New England with the best return.
With Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert remaining in the AFC West for the majority of the next decade, the Broncos must upgrade at quarterback as quickly as feasible. However, Denver has the No. 12 overall choice in April and insufficient draft money to move up. The Broncos could hope that Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy falls to them, but in order to secure their future quarterback, they could offer a package focused on pick 12 and CB Patrick Surtain II for the third overall pick.
This transaction would not only put the Patriots in position to make another major trade next summer, but it would also provide them with the NFL’s greatest young cornerback combo in Surtain and 2023 first-round pick Christian Gonzalez.
CUT: cornerback J. C. Jackson
According to Over the Cap, the Patriots are already expected to have the NFL’s second-most cap room this offseason ($69.5 million). However, by removing Jackson, which appears imminent, New England may challenge the Washington Commanders for the most cap space among clubs.
New England will save approximately $14.4 million by releasing Jackson, who appeared in eight games after being re-acquired in a trade with the Los Angeles Chargers in October, without incurring any dead money. The 2021 Pro Bowler is still only 28, but the Patriots’ new regime may take a one-year chance on Jackson in the hopes that he ultimately returns to form.
SIGNING: Quarterback Kirk Cousins
As previously said, the Patriots will need to sign a quarterback this summer, and with so much budget room available, why not go for the best option on the market?
Despite coming off a season-ending torn Achilles, Cousins, who will be 36 this offseason, could fetch the highest offer among free-agent quarterbacks. Although Cousins’ return to Minnesota cannot be ruled out, NFL source Albert Breer writes that the Vikings are unwilling to provide the 12-year veteran a fully guaranteed contract.
If that’s the case, New England should do whatever it takes to sign Cousins, even if his age and Achilles ailment are cause for concern. Cousins is a top ten quarterback in the NFL when healthy, and in 2023, he was having one of his greatest seasons yet. Cousins was second in the league in passing yards (2,331) and tied for the lead in touchdown passes (18), with only five interceptions.
Of course, Cousins will not be the long-term answer in New England, but he would provide competent quarterbacking as the team prepares for whatever his successor will be.
