Patriots news & rumors: Chase Winovich’s mentality; Le’Veon Bell anyone?

Will Year 3 in the NFL be the year New England Patriots linebacker Chase Winovich breaks out as a star on Bill Belichick’s defense?

Following a solid rookie season, the Michigan product took a step back in Year 2 when it came to snaps and Belichick’s trust apparently.  With his struggles against the run, Winovich struggled to see playing time during a stretch of the 2020 NFL season.

But young players under Belichick usually have to take a step back before they take a step forward.  Winovich still recorded 5.5 sacks during the 2020 campaign despite the decrease in snaps and says he is ready to take a step forward in this third season in the NFL even if it means being a more versatile defensive player.

"“I’ve been working a variety of different positions, I’d say.  Right now I’m just doing whatever the coaches ask me to do,” Winovich said in a video conference earlier this month.  “All I can say is that I feel great overall – best mentally, physically, emotionally, spiritually, you name it, that I’ve ever been.  I’m really excited for the opportunities that present themselves this year.”More from Chowder and Champions3 Midseason Chaim Bloom Decisions That Have Killed the 2023 Red Sox10 Patriots Who Will Be Cut by Tuesday’s Roster DeadlineMLB Screws Red Sox Fans With Broadcast for Mookie Betts Return3 Most Underpaid Celtics Heading Into the 2023 SeasonRed Sox Continue Rollercoaster Season With Massive Win"

The reason Winovich needs to work on different positions is because of the influx of players at the linebacker position.  It not only starts with the return of Dont’a Hightower, but also the return of Kyle Van Noy, the signings of Matthew Judon and Raekwon McMillan and the potential growth of second-year linebackers Anfernee Jennings and Josh Uche.

With that much competition going into camp, Chase Winovich has to be ready physically and mentally or else he could easily find himself on the outside looking in despite the signs of success he has shown in this first two seasons, particularly his rookie season.

So, while Winovich says he is “excited” to be around the guys he is in competition against, it will be quite interesting to see how he emerges and what kind of role he actually ends up playing in this suddenly deep Patriots’ linebacker group.

NFL rumors: Le’Veon Bell disses Andy Reid, should Patriots take a shot?

It looks like veteran running back Le’Veon Bell has burned yet another bridge in the NFL.

After holding out his way out of Pittsburgh with the Steelers and mouthing his way out of New York with the Jets, Bell is now making sure the Kansas City Chiefs don’t bring him back in 2021.

Actually, Bell may have shot himself out of the NFL with his latest remarks regarding Andy Reid.

"“I’ll never play for Andy Reid again…I’d retire first,” Bell posted, via Instagram."

There is no telling what prompted the 29-year-old running back, but the three-time Pro Bowler might have other head coaches hesitating in a big way to sign Bell, even if he has the talent to still be a productive back in this league.

One coach who may not shy away is Bill Belichick.

The Patriots have been linked to Bell in rumors in the past, so it won’t be a major surprise if they gave him a prove it type deal.  With both Damien Harris and Sony Michel yet to play full seasons in the NFL, Bell could be brought in as a depth piece and also serve as insurance in case one or both of those running backs go down at any point of the season.

If Belichick and the Patriots did give Bell a shot, would he fall in line with “The Patriot Way.?”

The bigger question is does Le’Veon Bell even want to continue his NFL career?  If he does, New England could be the best spot for him given his ability to run and catch the football out of the backfield.

If he doesn’t?  Well, perhaps it’s time for Mr. Bell to hang out the cleats and take a break from social media rants.