Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots are struggling through the worst season that they have in recent memory. Everything has been going wrong and there are questions about every single aspect of the team. At the very top, Mac Jones has struggled to prove that he can be the long-term franchise quarterback and changes could be coming at the position in the offseason.
One of the biggest issues for Jones has been the lack of top-notch talent at the wide receiver position. At this point in time, New England doesn’t even have a true No. 1 option. Kendrick Bourne went down with a season-ending injury as well, which has depleted the receiving corps even more.
With that in mind, Belichick, assuming he’s still around in the offseason, could look to add talent from the outside in free agency. There is a potential option that could be intriguing, which is Indianapolis Colts impending free agent wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr.
A Patriots’ reporter named Evan Lazard suggested that Pittman could be a fit for the Patriots. The move would certainly make sense.
Alright, how do we feel about Michael Pittman for the #Patriots? Been impressed with the Colts WR this week. Good burst/change of gears to win on verticals, plays above the rim, snappy intermediate routes to keep CBs honest.
Pittman is a unrestricted free-agent in 2024. pic.twitter.com/Z8fOiV0jAo
— Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) November 8, 2023
Would Michael Pittman Jr. Fix The Patriots’ Offensive Issues?
First, we’re going to make it clear that one move isn’t going to make everything perfect. However, adding a talent like Pittman would be a huge step in the right direction to turning around the offense.
During the 2023 season with the Colts, Pittman has caught 58 passes for 593 yards and three touchdowns. He has put those numbers up despite Anthony Richardson going down with a season-ending shoulder injury. Indianapolis has been relatively limited in what they can in the passing game with Gardner Minshew leading the way.
Pittman would immediately fill the No. 1 wide receiver role for the Patriots. That being said, it would be even more ideal to add Pittman as No. 2 option and add another piece in front of him on the depth chart. Doing that is much easier said than done.
At just 26 years of age, Pittman would not be a pickup just for the present, but the Patriots could also build with him long-term. It would be reasonable to offer him a four-year deal in free agency.
Expect to see New England look to be aggressive in the offseason. Belichick and owner Robert Kraft do not like losing and this season has been a humbling experience. They are not going to want to go into a full rebuild.
