The most anticipated offseason of Bill Belichick’s coaching career will be filled with New England Patriots rumors and questions that will either make or break the 2020 NFL season.
Aside from the status of offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels who is rumored as the frontrunner for the Philadelphia Eagles head coaching job, the Patriots have some huge holes to field when it comes to player personnel and it starts at quarterback.
With the No. 15 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, Belichick could see a quarterback like Mac Jones or Justin Fields fall to him. Even with that, the Patriots still need a veteran, which leads to the first of six biggest questions and rumors the team will face in the 2021 offseason.
6. Will the New England Patriots bring back Cam Newton?
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If the Cam Newton who led the team to a 2-1 record to begin the season remained the same quarterback the entire season, the answer would be easy…or at least we think.
Covid-19 aside, Newton failed to get his revenge on the league and instead looked like the broken-down quarterback the Carolina Panthers gave up on. With more rushing touchdowns than passing touchdowns, Newton simply didn’t make the players around him better like that other quarterback did for nearly 20 seasons.
Well, there was one player in Jakobi Meyers, but players like N’Keal Harry and Devin Asiasi just never lived up to the hype, which can’t entirely be blamed on the quarterback, but there were times he just didn’t put the ball where it needed to be.
As much as Belichick likes Newton, it appears this marriage is over as the two will part ways with mutual respect.
Some team out there will pay Newton, while for the Patriots, there will be other veteran opportunities including a possible reunion with Jimmy Garoppolo. But no matter what the team does, the next big question will dominant the offseason up until they make their selection in the NFL draft.
5. The New England Patriots draft
In finishing the 2020 NFL season with a 7-9 record, the New England Patriots not only will have a lot of holes to fill, but they will also be selecting the highest they have since 2008 when they drafted Jerod Mayo.
Assuming Bill Belichick actually keeps the pick and doesn’t trade down in the draft for more picks, the Patriots will have a great opportunity to find the next quarterback, a big-time playmaker or someone who can be an upgrade at key defensive positions.
Who will the New England Patriots draft with the No. 15 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft?
Unless top quarterback prospects like Ohio State’s Justin Fields, BYU’s Zack Wilson or North Dakota State’s Trey Lance fall to them at No. 15, the Patriots may fill another desperate need at that position and draft a quarterback later in the draft.
One player who projected to be selected at that spot is Florida tight end Kyle Pitts. The 6-6, 246-pound tight end would be a major upgrade at the tight end position but given Belichick’s track record he will probably go defensive that high in the draft.
Notre Dame linebacker Jeremiah Osusu-Koramoah and Alabama defensive tackle Christian Bamore are names to watch if that is the case. There is also the possibility the New England Patriots could select quarterback Mac Jones, which would add to the Belichick and Nick Saban connection.
If the Patriots actually move up in the draft, this question and the rumors surrounding the draft will only get more fascinating.
4. What about Julian Edelman?
Has Julian Edelman played his last game in a New England Patriots uniform?
The 34-year-old veteran wide receiver was sidelined most of the 2020 NFL season with a knee injury, but before he went on injured reserve, he did show he has more football left in him with a Week 2 performance for the ages.
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In the team’s loss to the Seattle Seahawks, Edelman went off racking in 8 catches for 179 yards showing he still has the ability to impact an NFL game. While his passion to get back on the football field towards the end of the season indicate he still wants to play, there’s a chance Edelman could call it quits.
Will Julian Edelman retire, or will the New England Patriots veteran receiver play elsewhere?
Still under contract in 2021, the question is really does Edelman still want to play for the New England Patriots.
Would he threaten retirement in order to be released? If released, is he destined to end up in Tampa Bay with Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski.
That would be enough to make Patriots fans cringe, but he will be 35 once the 2021 season begins, so either way it may be time for both sites to part ways.
3. The Stephon Gilmore rumors
With the emergence of J.C. Jackson, it is quite possible the New England Patriots will be listening to offers for Stephon Gilmore.
The 2019 NFL Defensive Player of the Year was rumored in trades prior to the NFL trade deadline so it would not be shocking if Bill Belichick pulled the trigger this offseason given Gilmore’s contract commands moving forward.
In his time with the Patriots, Gilmore has been the model teammate. He has not only adapted to Belichick’s defense, but has become the face of the defense. But, as a player over the age of 30, the Patriots aren’t likely to give Gilmore another big contract, especially with Jackson on the rise.
Will the New England Patriots trade Stephon Gilmore?
With not many assets to offer in a trade, Gilmore could be dangled to either move up on the 2021 NFL Draft or obtain more draft picks. Perhaps another first round pick, which they were rumored to be looking for prior to the trade deadline.
While trading Gilmore would seem like another blow to the team, it may be necessary to help the team build in other key positions.
Of course, all of this depends on how Gilmore bounces back from a season-ending quadriceps tear he suffered towards the end of the season.
2. Tight end rumors
There is a big pass catching tight end who will be available in free agency and his name is Hunter Henry.
Prior with being hit with the franchise tag prior to the 202 NFL season, Henry was linked to the New England Patriots as he will be this offseason.
With 60 receptions for 613 yards and 4 touchdowns with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2020, the 26-year-old tight end still has his best football ahead of him and it would be great if it came in a Patriots’ uniform.
Will the New England Patriots sign Hunter Henry in free agency?
Hey, maybe that is exactly what Bill Belichick is thinking. The coach has made it no secret he is a fan of Henry’s which make the Patriots a prime destination for the talented tight end who Belichick has followed for a long time and certainly admires.
"“Henry continues to be a complete and very, very good football player for them. Henry’s really been a great player,” Belichick said prior to the Patriots matchup with the Chargers. “Watched him pretty much his whole career. … Went to Arkansas. Had a great career there. “Went to the Chargers with [Ladarius] Green out, he’s really played the Y-role this year. Showed a good ability to block, catch. He runs a variety of routes. He’s come back off the injury and has been a very, very productive player for them along with all the other skill players. He’s done a good job for them in the running game as well as the passing game.”"
If they could solve the biggest question of this offseason, it appears Belichick has his answer at the tight end position if he is willing to spend the money.
1. The next quarterback
No matter who is drafted at quarterback for the New England Patriots, it is highly unlikely that player will be the starter in 2021, at least the start of the season.
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It is also unlikely that quarterback will be Cam Newton. So, which available veteran quarterback will start for the Patriots?
While a Jimmy Garoppolo reunion would be ideal for Bill Belichick, there is opportunity out there to get a big name in either free agency or through a trade.
Who will start for the New England Patriots at quarterback in 2021?
On the free agent front, names like Andy Dalton and Ryan Fitzpatrick have been linked. Both would probably run the offense better than Newton did this year, but each of those solutions would be a short-term solution, which would be fine if they struck gold in the 2021 NFL Draft.
On the trade front, along with Garoppolo, quarterbacks like Matthew Stafford and Deshaun Watson will be highly rumored in trades. In fact, the Watson trade rumors are already being watched with high anticipation.
This is where a potential Stephon Gilmore trade could come into play. If Garoppolo is on the trade block, the San Francisco 49ers could be an ideal landing spot for Gilmore. If the Houston Texans do listen to offers for Watson, the Patriots No. 1 cornerback would have to be included in the package.
Right now, it’s all speculation, but bet on Belichick doing something interesting at the quarterback position. The 2020 NFL season without Tom Brady was enough for him not to do something big.