The New England Patriots are the most valuable sports franchise in the world, with a $14 billion valuation. They have won five Super Bowls since 2002 and more recently, they set an NFL record for total player payroll at $223 million.
The patriots rumors 2021 is a look at the New England Patriots’ record-setting spending spree and how it might be heading toward disaster level.
This year, the New England Patriots were unusually active in the free-agent market. In fact, the club broke a record by spending $159.6 million in guaranteed money in only nine days to restructure the squad. As the 2021 NFL season approaches, it seems that the money was not properly spent.
In 2020, the New England Patriots offensively were a catastrophe.
On August 12, 2021, in Foxborough, Massachusetts, New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick shakes the hand of Washington Football Team head coach Ron Rivera at Gillette Stadium. Getty Images/Kathryn Riley
In New England in 2020, Tom Brady was no longer taking snaps from center. Last season was a complete catastrophe for the Patriots, who had their first losing season since 2000. With Brady out of the picture, Bill Belichick turned to former NFL MVP Cam Newton to lead the offense, but things didn’t go as planned.
Placing all of the responsibility on Newton is unjust. Newton was signed late by the Patriots, and the pandemic disrupted practice schedules and exercises, so he was never able to establish a relationship with his receivers. Newton was also short on offensive weapons, particularly with veteran Julian Edelman out for six games due to injury.
Newton played in 15 games before being diagnosed with COVID-19 and missed one game against the Kansas City Chiefs. He had a 7-8 record and just eight touchdown passes in his career. He had a total of ten interceptions.
In 2020, just five teams scored fewer points than the Patriots.
The New England Patriots wasted little time in attempting to improve their offensive in preparation for the 2021 season.
While the Patriots spent a lot of that money on defense, offensive was the most pressing necessity. New England couldn’t afford another offensive season like the one they had in 2020. Tight ends were non-existent in the Patriots’ so-called passing game a year ago, so Belichick pounced on the two finest free agents available.
Former Tennessee Titans tight end Jonnu Smith has signed a four-year, $50 million contract with $31.25 million guaranteed with New England. Smith played the previous four seasons at Tennessee, when he set a career best with eight touchdown receptions.
They didn’t just leave it at that. The Patriots also signed Los Angeles Chargers tight end Hunter Henry to a three-year, $37.5 million contract with a $25 million guarantee. Hunter was with the Chargers for the previous five years. Despite missing the whole 2018 season due to a ruptured ACL, he has 21 career touchdowns.
The Patriots also signed wide receivers Kendrick Bourne (three-year contract with a maximum value of $22.5 million and $5.25 million guaranteed) and Nelson Agholor (two-year deal with a maximum value of $26 million and $15 million guaranteed) within an hour and a half of each other.
Newton was also re-signed by the Patriots on a one-year contract for $3.5 million guaranteed. Those five offensive players cost New England more over $80 million in guaranteed money.
On offense, the Patriots don’t seem to be any better than they were last season.
In the New England offense, Smith and Henry should make a big impact. Their health is a huge question mark. In his brief time with the Patriots, Henry has already battled with shoulder and ankle ailments. Smith was forced to leave practice early this week due to an ankle ailment. Devin Asiasi, the Pats’ tight end, was fully participating in practice on Tuesday.
The larger issue is that Newton is still the starting quarterback. Newton seems to be the frontrunner to start under center in Week 1 despite the fact that rookie Mac Jones is pushing him.
Bourne was questioned about the availability of fellow rookie wide receiver Nelson Agholor, who missed practice earlier this week.
According to WEEI, Bourne said, “Nelly is getting better.” “I’m not sure what he’s going through, but he looked great today.” He seemed to be back. We’re hoping to get him back out there for preseason as well. To see myself, him, and Jakobi together would be awesome (Meyers). That seems to be the game plan heading into Game 1. Hopefully, everyone is in good health.”
Despite being better than what was on the field a year ago, Bourne, Agholor, and Meyers are unlikely to scare many defensive backs. In fact, that trio has to be among the worst wide receiving groupings in the NFL.
Yes, the Patriots spent the money and made an effort to fix the offense. The good news for the Patriots is that their schedule isn’t very difficult. The bad news is that the offensive seems to be struggling once again. In New England, 8-9 would be a success with one additional game added to the calendar.
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The new england patriots today is a story about the New England Patriots’ record-setting spending spree heading toward disaster level.
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