New England Patriots Rumors: Trey Flowers a victim of Patriot way

Trey Flowers has joined the Detroit Lions and now the New England Patriots defensive line has major shoes to fill.

The Detroit Lions are basically the minor league affiliate of the New England Patriots at this point. The team is poaching players from Foxboro left and right. The latest victim is Trey Flowers.

Things didn’t look good when the New England Patriots failed to franchise tag Flowers, but still it seemed like the Patriots would try and retain Flowers’ services. He has led the team in sacks for two straight seasons. How couldn’t they bring him back?

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Then the team went ahead and traded for Michael Bennett. This was a great move, but it seemed like it was signaling the end of Flowers’ time in New England.

On Monday New England Patriots fans nightmares came true.

Flowers will be a member of the Detroit Lions and is going to get paid handsomely. It is expected that he will be making around $16 million-$17 million a season.

There was no way that the Patriots were going to pay such a steep price. The team never has and they likely never will. The Patriot way prides itself on not overpaying players. It is better to get rid of a player too early than too late.

Now this means that the defensive line will be without their best pass rusher. Players like Derek Rivers and Deatrich Wise will have to improve their play if New England wants to have a shot at any success in the postseason.

Last season we saw that the New England Patriots could no longer rely on the offense to bail them out of games. The defense was one of the main reasons they won the Super Bowl.

Without Trey Flowers, the Patriots pass rush appears to be in a poor position. Michael Bennett will take on a boatload of responsibility and will have to be a one-man wrecking crew. The Patriots secondary will also have to lock down opposing pass catchers.

There is no doubt that Trey Flowers deserved the raise, but it is sad to see him leave New England.