Patriots free agency 2021: The case against re-signing James White
Should the New England Patriots re-sign veteran running back James White?
There is a long list of reasons why the Patriots should bring back one of their most consistent offensive playmakers over the past few seasons.
With over 369 receptions out of the backfield over his career with the Patriots, the Wisconsin product has been one of Tom Brady’s favorite targets, when Brady was actually the quarterback of the Patriots.
In a season without Brady, White’s production feels pretty steadily. Part of that reason was the tragedy he suffered early in the season which saw the Patriots co-captain miss a few games.
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As losing a parent in a fatal car accident had to have an emotional impact on the 29-year-old running back, his decline in production in 2020 is understandable. He caught 49 passes out of the backfield while rushing for a total of 121 yards on 35 carries.
The man known as “Sweet Feet” was not the player Patriots fans have grown accustomed to but was that do to the overall product on the field as far as the offensive side of the football or is White’s future in New England coming to an end.
Whatever the case, White is looking forward to exploring the world of free agency.
"“I don’t know what the future holds,” White said back in January, via CBS Boston. “I’ve never been through free agency before. This is my first time, so I’m not even really sure what to expect. I’m not ruling anything out right now. Just relax a little bit for a couple of weeks, you know, get back to training, get my body back feeling right and see what happens. I’ve never been through this process before, so I’m excited to see what it’s all about.”"
While White is the first to admit his production wasn’t where he wanted it to be in 2020, the 2014 fourth round pick feels he has plenty of football left in him and he could certainly help this football team or some other team out there.
Why the New England Patriots don’t need to re-sign James White
A two-time Super Bowl champion, it is unlikely that James White will take a hometown discount to stay in New England.
If Bill Belichick believes White still has plenty of football in him, he’s going to have to either match or outbid a couple of teams, one of which just hoisted the Lombardi Trophy.
In need of a pass-catching running back, an outlet for Tom Brady, it will be more than enticing for White to go join his former teammate down in Tampa Bay. Not only is he from the state of Florida and will see a chance to return home, but he may also feel there is more opportunity with the Buccaneers that there will be for the Patriots.
Why?
Part of White’s lack of productivity in 2020 was the team turning more to Rex Burkhead until Burkhead went down with injury.
Depending on the quarterback situation, the New England Patriots may turn more to a power running game as they did in 2020. The trio of Damien Harris, Sony Michel and Burkhead if he re-signs gives the Patriots a group of running backs who could be on the field all three downs.
Belichick may also see a lot of what White does in 2020 undrafted rookie J.J. Taylor.
In all, the Patriots won’t overpay to keep James White as they didn’t pay to keep Danny Woodhead prior to Vereen or Vereen prior to White.
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As great as a Patriot he has been, and every Patriots fan will remember and appreciate his Super Bowl heroics, but the writing is on the wall for White. His tenure in New England is likely over and another running back will move in and fill that role.