Following a last second, game-winning field goal, the New England Patriots have kept their playoff hopes alive by defeating the Arizona Cardinals 20-17. Given the circumstances surrounding this season, squeaking into the playoffs as a wild card team would feel like a successful 2020 campaign. However, after this season, the Patriots have several key veterans with expiring contracts which could lead to a very different team in 2021.
New England Patriots Contracts: 2021 Players to Re-sign or Replace
According to Over The Cap, the Patriots rank fourth in available 2021 cap space with just over 64 million dollars. While a big number on the surface, that 64 million could dwindle quickly if not managed as well as distributed properly.
Cam Newton: Replace
New England’s quarterback situation is a mess with seemingly no clear plan. Newton, a veteran starter, has been average at best this season. Newton’s 1,984 passing yards ranks just 23rd among qualifying quarterbacks and his back-breaking turnovers during late-game situations have been absolutely demoralizing. Newton’s contract is currently worth the league minimum and he is not worth much more. If Newton and his agent demand anything over seven million this offseason, New England should let him walk.
Joe Thuney: Replace
Letting Thuney walk is a bittersweet move for New England. Since being drafted 78th overall in the 2016 draft, Thuney has been a rock within the interior of New England’s line and they could not have asked him for anything more than he has given. However, Thuney will be 29-years-old this offseason and teams desperate for offensive line help will likely be willing to overpay for his talent. Moreover, with the emergence of rookie Michael Onwenu, investing significant money on Thuney simply would be an irresponsible move given New England’s other needs.
James White: Re-sign
In a vacuum, the Patriots should certainly bring back White, even if that means a slight overpayment. Despite turning 29-years-old this offseason, White is still one of the best pass-catching running backs throughout the league. Furthermore, White’s leadership intangibles and toughness cannot be overstated. However, given his age, it is very possible that White decides to leave in free agency in favor of joining a true contender. That said, if he wishes to stay in New England, the Patriots should absolutely bring him back.
David Andrews: Re-sign
After missing the entire 2019 season, we learned just how important Andrews is to New England’s offense. A physically talented center is hard enough to find in the NFL, but a physically talented center with an elite level of football IQ is rare to find and very hard to replace. Simply put, Andrews is, in a lot of ways, the rock of New England’s offensive line and someone who the Patriots need to keep around.
Lawrence Guy: Replace
Similar to the Thuney situation, New England could not have asked for anything more than what Guy has given them since joining the team in 2017 via free agency. However, at 31-years-old along with having dealt with injuries this season, New England should avoid committing big money and multiple future years to Guy.
Adam Butler: Re-sign
Butler has been one of the most underrated defensive tackles throughout the league. His athleticism frequently is on display as an interior pass rusher, a skill set which is rare for a 6-foot-5, 300 pound player. Furthermore, at just 27-years-old, Butler still has room to elevate his game to another level. While the Patriots should avoid overpaying for Butler, they certainly should make him a healthy offer.
In addition to several key veterans having the ability to leave this offseason, New England could also lose several others to retirement. For example, 33-year-old Devin McCourty, 30-year-old Dont’a Hightower, 32-year-old Marcus Cannon, and 34-year-old Julian Edelman have all won multiple Super Bowls along with made several millions of dollars. While New England has had their highs and lows this season, the 2021 Patriots face possibly a larger question mark than they did last offseason.
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