Michael Felger’s Patriots rant humorously interrupted by breaking news of free agent signing

"So that's going to stop me in my tracks."

Mike Felger broadcasting for 98.5 The Sports Hub on "Media Row" prior to the Super Bowl in 2019. Barry Chin/Globe Staff

March 11, 2025

4 minutes to read

A poignant Patriots moment? After the context of 2024 — in which then-Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo said the team had “ready to burn some cash,” only for New England to largely eschew from high-profile additions — fans and media entered the early part of the NFL free agency schedule in 2025 with skepticism.

But in what seems to be a difference in the Mayo era and the newly-begun tenure of Mike Vrabel — another coach who has promised his team will be “aggressive” in upgrading the roster — the Patriots are already putting their money where their mouth is. Starting on Sunday and escalating on Monday, New England has reportedly agreed to deals with a plethora of free agents. A particularly striking moment arrived live on-air during a 98.5 The Sports Hub “Felger & Mazz” segment on Monday afternoon.

Longtime co-host Michael Felger launched into a characteristically skeptical monologue about the reality of the Patriots’ situation.

“Have you extended yourself? No,” Felger charged of the Patriots’ front office. His main point was that despite making some signings, New England remained unable to convince higher-profile talents to join the Patriots.

“Have you convinced someone to come here who has no reason to be here? Categorically, not,” Felger claimed. “So, like, you haven’t really done anything other than improve the team at the margins you’d like to think. And in the aggregate, when you add up all the money, you’re going to be able to say, ‘They spent.'”

With hilarious timing, his rant was put on hold by wider events.

“I guess we have breaking news,” he interjected prior to the report of the Patriots agreeing to a deal with sought-after defensive tackle Milton Williams being read aloud.

“So that is one,” Felger immediately acknowledged.

“So that’s going to stop me in my tracks,” he confessed. “That is one guy that they targeted at the top of the market, and it does feel like they’ve beaten out some other teams. He was earmarked for the Panthers earlier in the day, and apparently the Pats got in there at the end. So that one does feel different to me.”

To his credit — and perhaps because it was an unavoidable observation — Felger quickly revisited his take, injecting a little more nuance into his analysis of the Patriots’ approach.

“That is a big, splash signing, and if that’s what you wanted them to do today, then you have to give them credit for it.”

Trivia: When 98.5 The Sports Hub launched in 2009, Felger and Tony Massarotti were paired together from the start. But who was Scott Zolak first paired with during the midday time slot?

(Answer at the bottom).

Hint: He made a cameo in the movie “Knives Out” as a local news reporter.

Scores and schedules:

The Celtics got a 114-108 win over the Jazz on Monday night despite missing both Kristaps Porzingis and Jayson Tatum. Tomorrow, Boston will host the Thunder at 7:30 p.m.

Tonight, the Bruins host — of all teams — the Panthers (with newly-acquired Florida winger Brad Marchand, though he is still injured). The game gets underway at TD Garden at 7 p.m.

More from Boston.com:

Sam Hauser’s night: The Celtics bench player produced a career night (33 points) to help Boston get the win on Monday.

On this day: In 1965, the Celtics rallied to defeat the Pistons 112-100 thanks primarily to the efforts of Bill Russell. The Celtics captain led the game in most statistical categories, including points (27) and rebounds (totaling an astounding 49). Somehow, this wasn’t an NBA record. Wilt Chamberlain still holds that mark, with 55 rebounds in a 1960 game. Russell occupies spots 2-4 on the single game record list, with his 1965 effort ranking third.

Celtics Bill Russell 49 rebounds Boston Globe 1965

Daily highlight: Matheus Doria scored an unorthodox but incredibly impressive goal off a corner kick, helping to jumpstart Atlas FC’s 4-3 comeback win (emerging from a 3-0 deficit) in a Liga MX clash with Club Tijuana (from Sunday).