Monthly Archive 2025年3月5日

On paper, the New England Patriots find themselves in the exact same position they were in a year ago, coming off a 4-13 season that was good for last place in the AFC East. However, unlike last year, there are some glimmers of hope that the organization will soon drag itself out of the NFL’s basement.

The Patriots have seemingly found their quarterback of the future in Drake Maye, and have now paired him with head coach Mike Vrabel after moving on from Jerod Mayo after one season. That coach-quarterback duo has the promise of getting New England back into contention, but this offseason will be critical in that endeavor as there is plenty to be done to increase the talent across the roster. Luckily for the Pats, they enter this offseason armed with the most amount of cap space in the entire NFL and have the No. 4 overall pick at the 2025 NFL Draft in their quiver as well. So, the tools are there to vastly improve the team, but now it’s time for Vrabel and the front office to execute.

As we await the unofficial start to free agency with the legal tampering window opening on March 10, let’s take an overall look at the Patriots and where they stand entering this key period on the calendar.

Patriots free agency lookahead
Unrestricted free agents: Jonathan Jones (CB), Jacoby Brissett (QB), Deatrich Wise Jr. (EDGE), Chukwuma Okorafor (OT), Sione Takitaki (LB), Austin Hooper (TE), Daniel Ekuale (IDL), JaMycal Hasty (RB), Jaylinn Hawkins (S), Oshane Ximines (EDGE)

Projected cap space: $128,071,728

Team needs: OT, WR, EDGE, CB, DT, IOL, LB, RB

Key free agents
Jonathan Jones: Jones has been with the Patriots since the club signed him as an undrafted free agent out of Auburn in 2016. He’s helped the organization to two Super Bowl titles over that tenure, serving as a solid figure in the secondary. He started 14 of his 17 games played last season and totaled 58 tackles and six pass breakups. Jones (or any free agent the Patriots currently have) shouldn’t be too costly to retain, but it could come down to whether or not New England wants to inject more youth into the position with the veteran set to turn 32 over the first month of the 2025 campaign.

Jacoby Brissett: Brissett began the year as the Patriots starting quarterback, getting the nod in the first five games of the season before ultimately giving way to Maye. Brissett is a serviceable backup, who has 53 starts under his belt over the course of his career. That said, New England does have Joe Milton III currently on the roster and he could prove to be the backup to Maye in 2025, especially after a promising showing in Week 18. If Milton is traded, however, that possibly paves the way for Brissett to stay in Foxborough.

Austin Hooper: Hooper could end up being one of the free agents who sign elsewhere this offseason with the tight end market across the league pretty thin. The veteran is set to enter his 10th season in the league and was one of the few solid contributors in New England’s passing game in 2024. He caught 45 of his 59 targets for 476 yards and three touchdowns. His receiving yard totals were his highest since his Pro Bowl season in 2019.

Deatrich Wise Jr.: Wise, a team captain, has spoken about his desire to stay with the Patriots, but it will be interesting to see how he possibly fits in the new defensive scheme run by new defensive coordinator Terrell Williams. Wise, who’ll turn 31 in July, has spent his entire career with the Patriots since he was drafted by the club in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft out of Arkansas.

2025 NFL mock draft: Abdul Carter goes No. 1 despite foot injury; Jayden Daniels gets new weapon in pass game
Josh Edwards
2025 NFL mock draft: Abdul Carter goes No. 1 despite foot injury; Jayden Daniels gets new weapon in pass game
How does New England spend its money?
As we mentioned, the Patriots have by far the most cap space in the entire league at $128 million. For reference, the next-highest team is the Las Vegas Raiders, who currently clock in with $96.7 million in available space. This is a great place to be if you’re New England, which has an array of needs across the roster. Luckily, quarterback isn’t one of them, and have Drake Maye currently playing on his rookie deal, which should drive the franchise to spend aggressively around him. While there is money to spend, the question is how they’ll ultimately use it.

The obvious candidate to throw a bag of cash at is wideout Tee Higgins. The Patriots have been starved of a top-tier wideout and Higgins could be the closest they get to securing one, but he will cost a pretty penny. Of course, there’s the question of whether or not Higgins will even be available to the Patriots when free agency unfolds as the Cincinnati Bengals have reportedly been working to keep him and could possibly deploy the franchise tag.

There’s also the recent report from The Athletic, that New England isn’t going to pursue Higgins altogether, and instead focus on bolstering both lines.

If Higgins is off the board or not pursued, Chris Godwin, Amari Cooper, Stefon Diggs and Marquise Brown are a handful of potential free agent receivers who could be on the market, but none command the sizable contract that Higgins will.

Elsewhere, offensive tackle is a massive need. The Patriots could use the No. 4 overall pick to address it, but one could make the argument that they need to double dip, finding a left tackle and a right tackle. Baltimore’s Ronnie Stanley is atop the tackle free agent market, along with Minnesota’s Cam Robinson and Alaric Jackson of the Rams.

Another need for the Patriots comes on the defensive side of the ball at edge rusher. New England had the fourth-lowest pressure rate in the league last season, so it’d be wise for the club to look for some top-tier talent at that position. Philadelphia Eagles edge rusher Josh Sweat is the top pass rusher on the market.

Trade possibilities
While free agency is largely about simply signing players on the open market, it’s also a window where trades are prevalent. In that spirit, here’s a look at a trio of players who have been in trade rumors and their possible fit in New England.

Cooper Kupp: The Rams have told Kupp that they are looking to trade him this offseason, and the former Super Bowl MVP could be an ideal weapon for Drake Maye. While Kupp may not be a long-term answer as he’ll turn 32 in June, he would be New England’s top receiver upon arrival. The Patriots saw firsthand that Kupp still has fuel left in the tank as he went off for 106 yards and two touchdowns against them last season. He’d also bring a level of gravitas that has been missing in the room since Julian Edelman’s retirement.

Deebo Samuel: The 49ers have permitted Samuel to seek a trade, and could be looked at similarly to Kupp from a Patriots standpoint. He’d certainly be a versatile weapon in Josh McDaniels’ offense, similar to how he’s been used in San Francisco as a receiver while also lining up in the backfield. The key concern with Samuel and his fit with the Patriots (or any team) is his durability.

Myles Garrett: Garrett, who requested a trade from the Browns earlier this offseason, would be a massive splash for the Patriots. The former Defensive Player of the Year would immediately become the face of the unit alongside ascending corner Christian Gonzalez. Given Mike Vrabel coming from the defensive side of the ball and also working with the Browns as a consultant last season, there is a connection to Garrett to at least toss this trade idea around. While inserting Garrett into this defense would be seismic, it’d also cost a pretty penny, likely in the form of multiple first-round picks.

PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Eagles are coming off one of the most dominant Super Bowl runs in recent memory, crushing the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX and ending Kansas City’s chances at a three-peat. There’s no rest for the weary, as the Eagles are preparing for a monumental offseason two weeks after their Super Bowl win.

Philadelphia has a lot of talent on its roster, but also has good players hitting the free agent market. The Eagles can’t re-sign them all, making the offseason more intriguing as general manager Howie Roseman will have to get creative in managing the team’s cap space. Don’t expect Roseman to have his typical offseason, even if he’ll continue to be aggressive in making the roster better.

“We have a lot of guys who I think are in the prime of their careers under long-term contracts, who are kind of in this 26-, 27-, 28-year old-range, and so really we have to do whatever we can to make sure that we keep this window open for as long as possible,” Roseman said at the NFL Scouting Combine this week. “The most important season — this one coming up, 2025 — and doing whatever we can to maximize that, but we have to get creative to make sure that we’re keeping as many of our good players as we can.

“I sat up here last year and I said that’s going to include playing young players, and I think that’s going to be a huge part of what we are going forward because we’re fortunate enough to have a lot of good players who are making a lot of money.”

As the Eagles head into another crucial offseason, let’s take a look at what they are up against heading into free agency:

Eagles free agency lookahead
Unrestricted free agents: Josh Sweat (EDGE), Brandon Graham (EDGE), Zack Baun (LB), Mekhi Becton (G), Avonte Maddox (CB), Milton Williams (IDL), Rick Lovato (LS), Le’Raven Clark (RT), C.J. Uzomah (TE), Fred Johnson (T), Jack Driscoll (RT), Nick Gates (C), Parris Campbell (WR), Oren Burks (LB), Kenneth Gainwell (RB)

Projected cap space: $22,375,816

Team needs: EDGE, LB, WR, G

Key free agents
Josh Sweat: Sweat performed in the final year of his contract, finishing with 54 pressures and 8.0 sacks for the Eagles. He also finished with 15 quarterback hits and a career-high 14.1% pressure rate. Sweat had 12 pressures and 2.5 sacks in the playoffs, having seven pressures and 2.5 sacks in Super Bowl LIX. Sweat likely outperformed his previous contract with the Eagles, and should cash in this offseason as one of the best pass rushers available.

Zack Baun: Baun signed a one-year, $4 million deal with the Eagles last March and moved to inside linebacker after defensive coordinator Vic Fangio thought he would be a good fit at a new position. He rewarded the Eagles with an All-Pro season, finishing with 151 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, five forced fumbles, four passes defended and an interception in 16 games. He upped his game in the postseason, finishing with 33 tackles, three passes defended, a forced fumble and two interceptions — including one in the Super Bowl LIX victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. Baun is the first player since tackles became an official statistic in 1987 to have 150+ tackles and five+ forced fumbles in a season. The Defensive Player of the Year finalist will be getting a major raise for the 2025 season and beyond, as one of the top free agents available.

Mekhi Becton: Signing a one-year contract last offseason, the Eagles moved Becton to guard and he became a force on the offensive line. Becton admitted he’d rather play guard for the Eagles or his next team, as he allowed three sacks and 22 pressures this season at guard (5.2% pressure rate allowed per dropback). He allowed three sacks and eight pressures in the playoffs (7.2% pressure rate allowed per dropback). There’s a strong chance Becton returns to the Eagles, as he hinted at a possible return and many of his teammates would like him back.

Milton Williams: One of the Eagles’ best pass rushers, Williams netted a career-high 40 pressures to go with five sacks in 2024. He had a team-high 14.8% pressure rate to go with 10 quarterback hits. In the postseason, Williams posted 14 pressures, two sacks, two batted passes and a 12.7% pressure rate. Williams will be hard to retain this offseason, as he wants a pay bump but also indicated he would return to Philadelphia if the price is right.

What could happen
The Eagles will have to replenish the pass rush, as it appears unlikely Sweat and Williams will be back. Philadelphia is also awaiting the final decision on Graham, who has stated in the past that last season was his final one in the NFL (Graham did leave a door open to a potential return).

If Sweat and Williams depart, that leaves Nolan Smith, Jalyx Hunt and Bryce Huff as the lone pass rushers on the active roster. The Eagles will have to make a decision on Huff as well, as he was inactive for the Super Bowl as a healthy scratch — the first year of a three-year, $51 million deal. There’s no way the Eagles can release Huff without suffering a dead cap hit of at least $12 million, so he may still be around.

The Eagles are likely to bring Becton back into the fold, even if Philadelphia has Tyler Steen to replace Becton at right guard should he depart.

The biggest decision will be with Baun, as the franchise historically hasn’t paid a linebacker under Roseman (or even prior to him). Baun is a crucial part of Vic Fangio’s defense and one of the best off-ball linebackers in the game. The Eagles will be thin at off-ball linebacker if they re-sign Baun or not, as Oren Burks is a free agent and Nakobe Dean is rehabbing from a torn patellar tendon in his left knee (Dean expects to be back by Week 1). Jeremiah Trotter Jr. is the only off-ball linebacker remaining on the active roster, so bringing back Baun is paramount.

If the Eagles bring back two of the four of the key free agents, credit goes to Roseman for keeping important players intact.

2025 NFL mock draft: Abdul Carter goes No. 1 despite foot injury; Jayden Daniels gets new weapon in pass game
Josh Edwards
2025 NFL mock draft: Abdul Carter goes No. 1 despite foot injury; Jayden Daniels gets new weapon in pass game
Other free agents Eagles need to make decision on
Oren Burks had a successful year with the Eagles, especially during the playoffs when he filled in for Dean. Burks ended up with 24 tackles and a sack in the playoffs, also having a 79.2 passer rating allowed in coverage when he was the primary defender. Burks is likely seeking a multi-year deal after signing one-year deals with different teams in consecutive years. The Eagles will need off-ball linebacker depth, and can solve that problem by re-signing Burks — who has also proven he can start in the league.

Kenneth Gainwell is a running back Nick Sirianni likes, but the Eagles have money tied into Saquon Barkley and Will Shipley is ready for an expanded role in his second season. Gainwell had 290 rushing yards and averaged 3.9 yards per carry in the regular season, which will make it interesting to see what his market will be. The Eagles could bring Gainwell back or find a replacement later in the draft.

Myles Garrett trade?
Howie Roseman didn’t shut down a potential pursuit of Garrett, but he was also realistic regarding this offseason and the free agents the Eagles have to retain.

“I’m not going to talk about anyone under contract with another team,” Roseman said. “One thing I can promise our fans is that there will not be a player that’s available that we won’t study, that we won’t look at and see if we can help the team.”

“Sometimes those opportunities work. And sometimes they don’t.”

Garrett would solve a significant problem with the Eagles pass rush, giving the Eagles a No. 1 pass rusher to pair with Nolan Smith and a dominant player on the edge to work with Jalen Carter in the middle of the defensive line. The Eagles would have to trade multiple first-round picks and a player to get into the conversation of acquiring a player of Garrett’s caliber, and the No. 32 pick isn’t as valuable as other first-round picks in 2025.

Acquiring Garrett is a long shot, but never rule the Eagles out of the sweepstakes. They are in their contention window, and Garrett would be a major piece toward a repeat. Keep in mind the Cleveland Browns still have no desire to trade Garrett, but it’s also early in the offseason.

How free agency unfolds will affect whether the Eagles make a serious pursuit of Garrett or not.

The Jacksonville Jaguars have already started renovations to EverBank Stadium as they transform it into the “Stadium of the Future.” During the renovations, the Jaguars will have to leave Jacksonville for one season and play in a temporary stadium.

That season will be in 2027, as the Jaguars provided an update on a temporary home.

“We’re probably within 30 to 45 days from submitting a report to the National Football League, which will summarize our evaluation of all the alternatives,” said Jaguars president James Lamping at the NFL Scouting Combine this week, via a team transcript. “We’ll also include a recommendation.”

Where will the Jaguars play? The team is considering either Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville or Camping World Stadium in Orlando as a temporary home.

Orlando is two hours (141 miles) away from Jacksonville. Camping World Stadium has hosted Pro Bowls and underwent a major reconstruction in 2014, holding 60,219 people. The facility would be more accommodating for visiting teams as well.

Gainesville is about 90 minutes away (72 miles away) from Jacksonville, but the facilities for visiting teams could be more difficult. Ben Hill Griffin Stadium is the home of the Florida Gators, as college facilities are significantly different than what players are accustomed to. The stadium holds 88,548.

If the Jaguars choose Gainesville, they certainly wouldn’t be the first team to play a season in a college stadium. The Minnesota Vikings played two seasons (2014 and 2015) at Huntington Bank Stadium (University of Minnesota) while U.S. Bank Stadium was being built. The Chicago Bears played one season at Memorial Stadium (University of Illinois) in 2002 while Soldier Field was being renovated and the Seattle Seahawks played the 2000 and 2001 seasons at Husky Stadium (University of Washington) while Lumen Field was being constructed.

Fleming pointed out three quarters of the owners have to approve on the site, which will either be Orlando or Gainesville.

“The approval process for a temporary stadium is the exact same as extending a lease,” Fleming said. “So, we not only have to have the league approval, committee’s approval, but also 75% of NFL owners agree.”