The New England Patriots offense was amongst the worst in the league this past season, ranking 30th and managing 17 points a game. They were one of only nine teams not to reach the twenty-point mark. In today’s NFL, offense is king; each of the top ten scoring units this year made the playoffs, while the worst ten now have top ten picks. While the unit as a whole was poor, we will discuss some bright spots the team should retain for the upcoming season and some New England should let go.
New England Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) passes under pressure from the New York Jets during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson/File).
Retain: QB Jacoby Brissett
Jacoby Brissett returned to New England this offseason after being shipped off to Indianapolis after an impressive rookie campaign in 2016. While Brissett has never been an awe-inspiring starter, he’s managed some impressive performances throughout his career as a spot starter. Brissett began the season with five straight starts but was eventually benched for Drake Maye following a 1-4 start. He was mediocre in a very conservative Alex Van Pelt offense, in which he posted just two touchdowns and one interception on the season. Nonetheless, a win over the Jets in Week 8 saw Brissett throw for 132 yards and a key two-point conversion following an incredible back foot throw to Kayshon Boutte, a huge play that led to the eventual winning touchdown. Brissett proved to be what he’s been in the past: a capable backup and mentor.
Contract Prediction: Returns, 1 Year | $4M
Let Walk: RB JaMycal Hasty
JaMycal Hasty had an interesting season. Aside from returning kicks, he hardly saw any action and was firmly the RB3 behind Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson. However, during Maye’s debut, he flashed, catching five balls on as many targets for 49 yards and a touchdown. He only took 20 carries in the season and never showed anything in the run game. Hasty will find a home elsewhere, but the Patriots should move on to someone new.
Contract Prediction: Departs, Veteran Minimum Deal Elsewhere
Retain: TE Austin Hooper
Austin Hooper made a name for himself in his Atlanta days when he signed but hasn’t had much production since then. While he wasn’t as explosive as he was during his 75-catch season in 2019, he thrived in the TE2 role behind Hunter Henry, recording a high in yards (476) since the 2019 season, and catches (45) since 2020, along with three touchdowns. Coach Mike Vrabel worked in Cleveland last year, Hooper’s former team. While he is aging, I’d expect the Cleveland semi-connection and 2024 prediction to be enough to sway Vrabel into keeping the 30-year-old around.
Contract Prediction: Returns, 2 Years | $7M
Retain: K Joey Slye
The addition of Joey Slye in the offseason was celebrated not for his name, but for his position. Over the past few years, the Patriots’ kicking game has been horrendous, and it all peaked with 2023 fourth round pick, Chad Ryland. Despite not being perfect, Slye had a very sound year. He was 25/26 on extra points, 79% on field goals and even sunk a 63-yard kick, just four yards shy of breaking the record for the longest ever. The only significant error from Slye was a missed 25-yarder against the Colts. Aside from that, mistakes were seldom. While I’m sure the Patriots will meet with kickers come draft time for the sake of due diligence, I have no problem offering a multi-year deal to Slye.
Contract Prediction: Returns, 2 Years | $5.5M
Restricted Free Agents (RFAs)
Restricted Free Agents are players with exactly three accrued seasons in the NFL. A team can choose to “tender” a player or offer them a one-year contract with one of three values: a first-round tender, a second-round tender or an original-round tender. These tenders are of varying values, usually in the range of $4M, $2M and $1M respectively. The team has only one offensive player who fits this mold: Lester Cotton.
- G Lester Cotton
While re-signing Cotton is easy and something that wouldn’t shock me, part of me expects Vrabel to start fresh, regarding fringe players, and bring in his own crop of guys. Cotton played just 7% of the snaps on a team with the worst offensive line in football, so he’s not likely to move the needle in either direction.
Exclusive Rights Free Agents (ERFAs)
Exclusive Rights Free Agents are players with an expired contract and fewer than three accrued seasons. These players must sign the ERFA tender (a one-year, sub-million-dollar deal), if the team offers it to them. The Patriots have a few players that fit this description:
- WR JaQuae Jackson
- C Ben Brown
- OT Demontrey Jacobs
While re-signing these players is very easy, given the new coaching staff coming in it seems unlikely any of the three will return. JaQuae Jackson has a chance given his pre-season injury, but I’d wager Vrabel would rather have an additional roster spot. PFF ranked Ben Brown the 54th center from a pool of 64 eligible players, while Demontrey Jacobs’s 38.4 score slotted him in at 138/141 offensive tackles. The team is likely better off looking for other players in these roles next season. I’d predict all three leave in free agency.
There’s no doubt this squad has much catching up to do if they want to take the next step next year, and making decisions regarding retaining players is the first order of business. While I’d expect a handful of players to return, don’t be surprised to see an offensive overhaul.