5 Patriots Free Agents Who Won't Want to Return for 2024

2. Ezekiel Elliott, RB

Let's go after some low-hanging fruit, shall we?

The New England Patriots made Ezekiel Elliott their RB2 after he sat in 2023 free agency for the longest time. There was a point there where many were wondering if Elliott was going to get a deal at all before the regular season, and then the Patriots swooped in and gave him $3 million.

Although that's a pretty good value, I don't think Elliott is going to be chomping at the bit to return to the Patriots in 2024. I think he took the offer they had on the table simply because it was the best he was going to get, and I don't know if either of these two sides are going to want to work together again in 2024 barring a major turnaround. Elliott's 34.3 rushing yards per game is the lowest number of his entire NFL career.

3. Mike Gesicki, TE

Here's a fair question to ask at this point -- Is Mike Gesicki even a good player?

He had a couple of good seasons with over 700 receiving yards in 2020 and 2021, but Gesicki certainly hasn't been a difference-maker for the Patriots in 2023, catching 21 passes for just 182 yards and one touchdown (a game-winner, to be fair) this season.

Gesicki just turned 28, so I'm sure he'll get some offers in the offseason, but I don't think he's going to be back in New England.