Opinions vary when it comes to the ongoing offseason approach by Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots.
But one anonymous NFL executive made it clear they are among those who believe the Patriots have made questionable decisions when it comes to both player personnel and the backfilling of those who left New England’s coaching staff.
“Belichick lost a play caller that everyone seems to agree is a fantastic play caller and brought in no one with any play calling experience,” one unnamed executive told The Athletic’s Mike Sando in an extensive story on the NFL offseason.
The same executive then went on to critique New England’s comings and goings, specifically acknowledging the trade for former Miami Dolphins receiver DeVante Parker.
“They have made no financial commitments to anyone of significance,” he told Sando. “They made an in-division trade for a wide receiver (Parker) with a laundry list of soft-tissue injuries. And remember, Bill (Belichick) could have called anyone who was on his staff who went to Miami under (Brian) Flores and I’d be shocked if those guys said Parker was worth a third-round pick.”
The trade for Parker didn’t sit well with different unnamed executive either.
“I just don’t agree with it — the guy is always hurt,” a second executive told Sando. “When we played Miami, I don’t remember thinking, ‘Well, we have to defend DeVante.'”
Parker’s arrival should make the receiver room better in New England. The debate regarding the price is, well, up to debate but it feels the Patriots added another weapon on that side of the ball. On the whole, however, it’s hard to imagine the Patriots got any better given the departure of cornerback J.C. Jackson, among others like offensive linemen Ted Karras and Shaq Mason (trade).
The executive that noted the lack of replacement for McDaniels, who took over as head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders, has a valid point. And they are not alone. Many have hinted how that could play out poorly given that quarterback Mac Jones is entering a crucial second year. Alabama assistant Bill O’Brien, for one, was thought to be a replacement but that reportedly didn’t play out given Belichick’s close relationship with Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban. Instead, it seems the Patriots will look to a combination of Joe Judge, Matt Patricia and Nick Caley to make up for the loss of McDaniels on the headset.
All told, there clearly are some questions with the Patriots now gearing up for the 2022 NFL Draft, but it’s fair to think we won’t have those answers until the leaves begin to fall at One Patriot Place.
