Return of the Empire | New England Patriots

[slicknick3822]

You really missed the opportunity to name this The Empire Strikes Back lol. I'm following and excited to see what you do with the Patriots. Hopefully having a few of the defensive starters that opted out this year irl back will help!

[Careless Whisper]

I'm following! Really enjoying these offseason articles, they're written well.

[GoldenJet]

New England Patriots' Off-Season Preview

Associated Press -- After announcements serviced that former Detroit Lions' head coach Matt Patricia would be returning to the New England Patriots' brass in some form and they would also be retaining offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels for at least another season after other teams went in different directions with their head coaching positions, the Patriots dove head-first into their resigning phase.

The biggest priorities for the Patriots were making decisions on All-Pro-caliber guard Joe Thuney and turnover-machine cornerback JC Jackson.

Thuney, 28, played the previous season under the franchise tag when the two sides were unable to come to a deal. He was thrust all over the Patriots' offensive line, playing center when David Andrews was littered with injuries. More on Andrews is coming later.

Thuney, who made his way onto the 2019 second All-Pro team, is expected to reset the guard market with the highest-paid deal. This, as expected, is too rich for the Patriots' taste - especially with the team currently uncertain in what direction they will be going into.

The same went for JC Jackson. He filled in for times when top cornerback Stephon Gilmore was out of the lineup with injuries and performed great as the team's number one corner. With rumors that Gilmore may end up being traded this off-season, some expected the Patriots to make more of an effort to complete a deal for Gilmore and extend Jackson. However, with free agency looming, Gilmore is still a Patriot and Jackson is expected to be a headliner on the market.

The Patriots have given center David Andrews the Joe Thuney-treatment, as the team could not come to terms on a long-term contract but have placed the franchise tag on him, which Andrews promptly signed. The tag is worth $12.4 million.

"I have high hopes that we can get a long-term deal done early into the season, as soon as possible - New England is where I want to be for the long haul" Andrews commented through his agent.

The Patriots have also left quarterback Cam Newton, running back James White, and defensive end Lawrence Guy to hit the market. Though they have left the door open for these players to return on cheaper deals with all the cap space the Patriots have, the expectation is that they are replaced.

Longtime linebacker and 2020 opt-out Dont'a Hightower has also announced that he will be hitting free agency as well, looking to compete for one last Super Bowl championship.

It has been a long time since the New England Patriots have possessed so much cap space, and with so many superstars expected to hit free agency or be released, it is bound to be an interesting off-season.

[GoldenJet]

FREE AGENCY PREVIEW
Released Von Miller, Jadeveon Clowney headline star-studded cast

Associated Press -- With the opening of the free agency period on the horizon, the NFL has seen an insane number of players be released from their contracts to join the multitude of players that could not come to terms on a new contract with their respective teams.

There are also a number of significant quarterbacks that we can see be traded. After the emergence of rookie quarterback Jalen Hurts, incumbent starter Carson Wentz has been rumored to be on the move. Though the Philadelphia Eagles, still on the hunt for their next head coach after Doug Pederson was given his walking papers, may believe that Wentz will make it at least to training camp.

San Francisco's Jimmy Garoppolo, Detroit's Matthew Stafford, and most notably, Houston's ace Deshaun Watson are some of the biggest names to watch. Watson, with the turnover of the Texans' roster and the lack of trust between the Clemson alumni and the executive staff, has led to him reportedly requesting a trade.

Here is a list compiled of all the players expected to be available this off-season:

Top Free Agent Options
QB - Philip Rivers, Cam Newton, Jameis Winston, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Mitch Trubisky
HB - Marlon Mack, Le’Veon Bell, James Conner, Todd Gurley II, Jamaal Williams
WR - Allen Robinson II, Kenny Golladay, Corey Davis, Antonio Brown, Brandin Cooks
TE - Rob Gronkowski, Zach Ertz, Jared Cook, Robert Tonyan, Trey Burton
T - Trent Williams, Russell Okung, Alejandro Villanueva, D.J. Fluker, Cameron Erving
G - Joe Thuney, Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, Brian Winters, Matt Feiler, Quinton Spain
C - Corey Linsley, Mike Pouncey, Austin Reiter, Jon Halapio, Ben Garland
DE - Melvin Ingram II, Leonard Williams, Olivier Vernon, Brandon Graham, Trey Hendrickson
DT - Damon Harrison Sr, Sheldon Rankins, Jonathan Hankins, Gerald McCoy, Poona Ford
OLB - Jadeveon Clowney, Von Miller, Matthew Judon, K.J. Wright, Leonard Floyd
ILB - Lavonte David, Dont’a Hightower, Avery Williamson, Alexander Johnson, Reuben Foster
CB - Shaquil Griffin, Richard Sherman, JC Jackson, Desmond King II, William Jackson III
S - Marcus Williams, Earl Thomas III, Marcus Maye, Logan Ryan, Malik Hooker
K - Younghoe Koo, Zan Gonzalez, Ryan Succop, Aldrick Rosas, Stephen Gostkowski
P - Sam Koch, Matt Bosher, Jordan Berry, Hunter Niswander, Cameron Johnston

[GoldenJet]

NEWTON HEADS TO THE CAPITOL
Former Patriots QB heads to Washington; rejoins HC Ron Rivera

Associated Press -- For the third straight season, the New England Patriots will have a new starting quarterback under center. As one of the first dominos of free agency to fall, quarterback Cam Newton has agreed to a one-year deal worth approximately $21 million with the Washington Football Team. This deal will have Newton joining forces with his former head coach Ron Rivera.

The two made waves during Newton's eight-year tenure with the Carolina Panthers after Rivera selected him with the first overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft out of Auburn after he won both the Heisman Trophy and a national championship. The two would go on to reach a Super Bowl (though quickly disposed of by the Denver Broncos) during Newton's MVP run in 2015.

It seems as though that was the peak for Cam Newton - he would go on to have multiple injury-plagued seasons as the Panthers fell out of Super Bowl contention. After the 2019 season, Rivera was dismissed as head coach, and Newton was released.

Rivera would become the head coach for the Washington Football Team and lead them to an NFC East Divison Title while Newton would sign with the New England Patriots; effectively trying to step into the biggest shoes ever left - Tom Brady's.

The Patriots, devoid of any offensive weapons and facing the most COVID-19 opt-outs heading into the NFL season, would flounder in their first season post-Brady, falling to third in the AFC East race and out of the playoffs. Some would say Newton performed poorly, while others would point to the anemic Patriots' offensive cast that surrounded him.

Newton would reach free agency after the two sides could not initially come to terms on a new extension. It was reported that Newton wanted security such a longer-term and assurances that the Patriots would secure top-tier talent on offense while it is assumed that with their 15th overall pick in the upcoming draft, the Patriots will be looking at a quarterback. Though neither side ruled out a possible reunion deeper into free agency, Washington came calling with a better quarterback situation for Cam Newton.

A familiar system, the doubt that Alex Smith is going to be able to play in the upcoming season with all of his injury concerns, and Dwayne Haskins being basically out the door left Washington's quarterback job up for grabs. With the opportunity to play with promising upstart wide receiver Terry McLaurin - it immediately became a more appealing job than in New England.

Newton will be attempting to bounce back after the worst statistical season of his career while the Patriots will be looking for a new quarterback.

The Washington Football Team is also very likely to sign guard Matt Feiler away from the cash-strapped Pittsburgh Steelers to continue to shore up their offensive line. Feiler, 28, is one of the top guard options not named Joe Thuney and has received a ton of offers.

The team is also reportedly finishing up a deal with safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, who was last signed by the Dallas Cowboys at the beginning of last season but was released after Week 1. Clinton-Dix, after multiple health concerns, is looking to bounce back and re-establish his NFL career after a season off.

[GoldenJet]

ALL IN THE FAMILY
Former All-Pro receiver Antonio Brown joins cousin in Baltimore

Associated Press -- All things being considered, the Antonio Brown-career renaissance will be taking its next tour stop in Baltimore, Maryland. It was recently announced that the former All-Pro wide receiver will be signing a two-year contract worth approximately $18 million.

Interestingly enough, Brown will be joining his cousin, wide receiver Marquise "Hollywood" Brown on the Ravens. The Baltimore Ravens were originally rumored to be one of the teams interested in Brown's services during the 2019 season during his personal life-imposed exodus from the NFL.

Brown was originally drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the sixth round, 195th overall in the 2010 NFL Draft out of Central Michigan. He would go on to have a star-studded tenure with the Steelers, going to the Pro Bowl seven times, becoming a first-team All-Pro four different times, and leading the league in receptions and receiving yards two times.

After a tumultuous, drawn-out departure from the Steelers after multiple conflicts with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, head coach Mike Tomlin, and multiple other teammates (namely fellow wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster), Brown would be granted a release and promptly signed with the then-Oakland Raiders. He would never suit up with the Raiders, after bringing a toxic environment to the tea, he would again be released and signed with Tom Brady and the New England Patriots.

Unfortunately, this union would only last one game, as allegations of assault and multiple character mistakes by Brown would lead to his release once again.

After many more infractions, including social media tirades and personal life mishaps, Brown would eventually land with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers late in the 2020 season, reuniting with Brady.

The Ravens are desperate for wide receiver help to make the next jump and give the Kansas City Chiefs a run for their money in the AFC. Brown was formerly the undisputed top wide receiver in the NFL with the Ravens hoping he has a bit more juice left in him.

The Ravens have also brought back tackle D.J. Fluker for more offensive line help and are reportedly trying to add a bigger bodied-receiver to move Brown into the slot.

[GoldenJet]

KING'S RANSOM
BREAKING NEWS: Texans trade QB Deshaun Watson to Miami

Associated Press -- On September 5th, 2020, the Houston Texans made a financial commitment to star quarterback Deshaun Watson. He signed a four-year contract worth $177.5 million - the second-largest contract in NFL history behind Kansas City Chiefs' mega-star Patrick Mahomes.

One could say that since the signing of that contract, it has all been downhill from there.

The Texans traded Watson's top target and superstar wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins to the Arizona Cardinals after a difference of opinion between Hopkins and former head coach and general manager Bill O'Brien. Hopkins knew he was a top receiver in the league and wanted his contract to reflect that. O'Brien bet otherwise, traded Hopkins for talented, but often-injured running back David Johnson, and went and got wide receiver (also often-injured) Brandin Cooks from the Los Angeles Rams.

In case you were wondering, Bill O'Brien is now the offensive coordinator for the University of Alabama after getting axed. Very telling of how that trade went.

Since then, the tension has been slowly building between the Texans' top players and the front office. The Texans' alleged lack of consulting their franchise player on moves have drawn constant criticism from the NFL and even former legend Andre Johnson recommended Watson stick to his guns and request a trade away from the floundering franchise.

That trade has finally come.

Deshaun Watson has been traded to the Miami Dolphins for quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and the 5th and 18th overall picks in the upcoming 2021 NFL Draft.

Many teams, including the Las Vegas Raiders, New York Jets, and Denver Broncos made compelling offers to the Texans for Watson, but the most realistic destination has always been the Dolphins. Acquiring Watson has now made Miami one of the leading contenders for the Super Bowl next season.

Tagovailoa split time as the starting quarterback with veteran quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick last season, leading the team to a 10-6 record and finishing just outside of the playoffs. The Dolphins were non-committal to Tagovailoa going forward as the Watson trade rumors began to heat up.

The former 5th overall pick out of Alabama will have the opportunity to start for rebuilding franchise in Houston who is reportedly now trying to unload franchise icon, J.J. Watt, so that he may finish out his career playing for a Super Bowl opportunity.

[GoldenJet]

THE RICH GET RICHER
BREAKING NEWS: Tampa Bay adds All-Pro defensive end J.J. Watt

Associated Press -- The second shoe has officially fallen.

It was announced, only two days after the Houston Texans shook the football world in trading all-star quarterback Deshaun Watson to the Miami Dolphins, that the Texans will trading franchise icon defensive end J.J. Watt to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for defensive end William Gholston and the 26th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Watt has been vocal of his displeasure with the Texans' front office, and although it was never reported that he would request a trade if Watson was indeed traded, it was highly assumed that Watt would be the next out the door.

Watt, 32, has played his entire career in Houston since being drafted 11th overall by the team in the 2011 NFL Draft out of Wisconsin.

Since then, Watt has enjoyed a Hall of Fame-caliber career, winning the NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award three times. He twice led the league in sacks and was voted to the Pro Bowl five times during his career.

Although he has suffered from injury troubles as of late and has seen the likes of Chicago Bears' edge rusher Khalil Mack and Los Angeles Rams' defensive tackle Aaron Donald surpass him as the de facto best defender in the league, Watt still packs a punch, getting 14 sacks this season for a brutal Texans' defense that has lost the likes of Tyrann Mathieu and Jadeveon Clowney in recent off-seasons.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, with a large amount of cap space and retaining all-star wide receiver Chris Godwin, are building up for another Super Bowl run after falling short this season. Watt joins the likes of Shaquil Barrett, Jason Pierre-Paul, and Devin White on a superstar-ladened defensive squad.

The Texans now own the 5th, 18th, and 26th overall picks in the upcoming draft.