NFL free agency saw many huge moves but the New England Patriots have been relatively quiet after new head coach Jerod Mayo said that the team would be big spenders this offseason. The team had the second most cap space heading into free agency and with that, they did not make any big swings.
NFL Former GM Says New England Patriots Fans Need To Chill
Patriot fans have been sounding off on the team not making any big moves in free agency. It got so bad that even the social media team said they have to chill out. Former NFL general manager Mike Tannenbaum thinks that the fans are dramatically over reacting to what the franchise did this off season so far.
The team kept almost all of their good players, and was able to pick up solid role players. The draft is also full of big time weapons that the team can capitalize on, instead of over paying for receivers right now. Tannenbaum expressed these options in the Boston Sports Journal saying:
I think they kept some good players. [Mike] Onwenu’s a very good offensive lineman with position flexibility. We’ve seen him play guard and tackle and do it well. They transitioned Dugger, and I’m sure a long-term deal will flow from there. And [Josh] Uche is still a good young pass rusher, so those look – to me – like smart and productive moves. … They can always add like they did with Austin Hooper. I know he’s not a headline-worthy player, but those sorts of moves exist. I do think we tend to overreact to things. We’re just a week into free agency.
This Is One Of The Most Important Drafts In New England Patriots History
Tannenbaum makes great points, but it will all be for not if the team does not draft well in this years NFL draft. This is arguably one of the most important drafts in their franchise history as the team will be looking, not only to get their next franchise quarterback with their No. 3 pick, but will also be looking for many crucial positions at the offensive line and wide receiver.
Patriot fans will have a right to freak out if the draft goes very poorly, but what they did in free agency was very smart. Signing their most important free agents and getting few solid starters is what free agency is about as you never win the league in free agency.