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NFL insider predicts Patriots will be ‘very active’ in free agency
"The good news this year is you’re still bad, but people now know this quarterback is good."
NFL insider on Patriots’ free agency approach: The Patriots enter the 2025 offseason in possession of more than $120 million in salary cap space (the most in the NFL). And given the team’s numerous 2024 struggles in a 4-13 season, it’s reasonable to assume front office executive Eliot Wolf and newly-appointed head coach Mike Vrabel will be busy during the upcoming free agency period.
Tom Pelissero of NFL Network recently weighed in on the Patriots’ expected approach to what could be a pivotal offseason, reassuring fans of the team’s expectations.
“I would anticipate that they are very active,” he told 98.5 The Sports Hub’s “Felger & Mazz” earlier in the week. “And I know that you know Eliot Wolf was working it on every receiver last year. It didn’t work out last year, but whether it was Calvin Ridley or Brandon Aiyuk or other guys that came up, they were in on everything.
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“Listen, it’s hard when you’re bad and people didn’t know if the quarterback was going to be any good,” Pelissero added. “The good news this year is you’re still bad, but people now know this quarterback is good.”
As Pelissero pointed out, the Patriots’ front office notably struck out in pursuing higher-level free agents or trade targets in 2024, but nailed arguably the most important aspect of the previous offseason: Drafting quarterback Drake Maye.
While it didn’t help them recruit top additions a year ago, the situation will likely be different in 2025 as Maye is now more of a known quantity.
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“Are the Patriots now going to have to overpay in free agency? Probably,” Pelissero acknowledged. “That’s just the nature of it, but you’re going to have a much better selling point than, ‘Hey, we’re going to pay you a little extra and you get to play with this dude who, if we can just make this thing competent, has a chance to be really good.'”
NFL free agency formally begins on March 12, with plenty of notable players potentially available for New England to sign.
Trivia: If former Patriots offensive lineman Joe Thuney wins the Super Bowl again (now a member of the Chiefs), he will join an exclusive list of players to have won the NFL’s top prize more than four times. Only two other players have five or more Super Bowl wins. One is Tom Brady, but can you name the other?
(Answer at the bottom).
Hint: He won a combined five Super Bowls playing for the 49ers and Cowboys.
Scores and schedules:
The Bruins lost to the Rangers 3-2 on Wednesday night.
Tonight, the Celtics host the Mavericks at 7:30 p.m.
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An interview with Christian Gonzalez: The Patriots’ cornerback did a swing through media row at the Super Bowl, offering some thoughts on the new coaching staff taking shape in New England.
On this day: In 1988, Larry Bird won the three-point shooting contest for the third straight year. Though, as Bird noted, he made himself “sweat a little bit” with a subpar start to the final round, the legendary Celtic rallied in style.
Daily highlight: Darius Garland nailed the game-winner for the Cavaliers at the buzzer in Wednesday’s matchup with the Pistons.
EVERY ANGLE OF GARLAND’S #TissotBuzzerBeater 🚨🚨 https://t.co/RRjIm2MKhd pic.twitter.com/zFa7qOUq95
— NBA (@NBA) February 6, 2025
Trivia answer: Charles Haley
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