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New England Patriots: 5 great moves during the 2020 offseason

By Michael DeVito

TUCSON, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 12: J.J. Taylor #21 of the Arizona Wildcats runs for a 1 yard touchdown at end of the second quarter of the game against the Washington Huskies at Arizona Stadium on October 12, 2019 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)
TUCSON, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 12: J.J. Taylor #21 of the Arizona Wildcats runs for a 1 yard touchdown at end of the second quarter of the game against the Washington Huskies at Arizona Stadium on October 12, 2019 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images) /
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New England Patriots
Joe Thuney #62 Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

2. Keeping Joe Thuney.

Joe Thuney is flat-out the Patriots’ best offensive lineman. His second-team All-Pro status backs that up. Thuney played and started, I believe, every game since 2016 at left guard for New England. He’s the epitome of a great offensive lineman: reliable, savvy, and tough.

John Hannah once manned that left side for new England and was the greatest offensive lineman in the history of the NFL. Now nobody’s that good, but Thuney is a worthy successor to Hannah for New England.

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Obviously, the Patriots feel the same. They franchised Thuney, he accepted and they are going to pay him over $14M to play guard. This put their guard tandem at roughly $25M salary per year. A huge amount for an interior lineman.

The possibility exists that one of three things happens. One, they keep Thuney on the franchise tag. Two, they work out a long-term extension and keep him for years; or, three, they trade him.

Hopefully, they can work out a long-term deal. He worth the investment. He’s a star at a position where stars are hard to find.  Keeping Thuney was one of their best moves this offseason. Right near the top.

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