The New England Patriots need an offensive overhaul this offseason.First-year coach Jerod Mayo will need to develop his offensive talent if the franchise wants to avoid a second straight season in the AFC East cellar.
With Mack Jones unable to become QB1, the Patriots are expected to select a quarterback with the no. 3 in the 2024 draft.The new signal caller needs a better offensive target to work with, and the Patriots will likely be aggressive in the trade market.
The offense could be more functional in 2024 as New England could look to other teams with new coaches for potential trade additions.DeAndre Hopkins1 out of 3HOUSTON, TX – DECEMBER 31: Tennessee Titans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) carries the ball in the first quarter during the NFL game between the Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas on December 31, 2023.
The Patriots signed DeAndre Hopkins to an offseason contract through 2023.Hopkins eventually joined the Tennessee Titans and had his seventh career 1,000-yard season. The 31-year-old may want to stay in Tennessee to work with new head coach Brian Callahan, who joins the franchise after his time with the Cincinnati Bengals.
But the Titans are projected to be near the bottom of the AFC South, and Hopkins may want to look for wins elsewhere. The Patriots might not seem like the most attractive prospects from Hopkins’ perspective, but that could change if they draft Jaden Daniels or Drake Maye.Hopkins will make $17.9 million next season, the last of his contract, but picking a quarterback and signing him to a rookie contract is the least of the Patriots’ worries, especially if the team is expected to do well.
New contract. 69.8 million dollars. Brandon Ayuk2/3SANTA CLARA, CA – JANUARY 28: Brandon Ayuk (#11) of the San Francisco 49ers throws Kindle Wilde (#29) of the Detroit Lions during the third quarter of the NFC Championship Game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara on January 28, 2024 Pass is intercepted. , California.
The Patriots could make an aggressive move by signing Brandon Ayuk with the San Francisco 49ers. Ayuk is projected to make $14.1 million in 2024, but the final year of his contract is pending.Since San Francisco can’t re-sign Ayuk to all the best contracts on the books, he could try to get some capital in the offseason. The 49ers may not want to move Ayuk, but the Patriots should at least call Santa Clara because of the contract situation.
The Patriots could trade two or three draft picks to San Francisco to acquire Ayuk and then sign him to a big deal, making him a No. 1 wide receiver for years to come. Justin Fields3/3GREEN BAY, WI – JANUARY 7: Justin Fields #1 of the Chicago Bears starts in the first half of the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on January 7, 2024 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)John Fisher/Getty ImagesJustin Fields is a trade-ready option for the Patriots. There is a scenario where the Patriots don’t like any of the top three quarterbacks in the 2024 draft class.If that happens, they could give up two draft picks to Chicago in a trade for Fields and Marvin Harrison Jr. Set him at 3.
The connection between Fields and Harrison could build a strong foundation in New England and ensure the team has a quarterback and wide receiver of the future.New England could always draft a player in the later rounds or sign a veteran to back up Fields if he doesn’t practice. A trade for Fields is unlikely given the Patriots’ first-round position, but likely unless New England deems May or Daniels a can’t-miss deal.
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