This offseason marks a crucial juncture for the New England Patriots. With the third-worst combined record in the NFL over the past two seasons and the departure of their long-standing head coach and general manager, Bill Belichick, after 24 years, the team appears to have lost its former glory as one of the NFL’s dominant dynasties.
On a positive note, the Patriots enter the offseason with the third-largest cap space in the league, boasting nearly $70 million to allocate. Additionally, they hold the number three overall pick in the draft, their highest selection since 1993.
New England must explore every possible avenue to bolster their roster talent for both the upcoming 2024 season and beyond. This includes utilizing free agency, the draft, and potential trade deals. Among these options, considering trade acquisitions, here are three ideal targets for the Patriots this offseason.
Justin Fields, quarterback for the Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears hold significant leverage over the entire draft board, with three viable options at their disposal. They can either 1. exchange the first overall pick for a considerable return, 2. select quarterback Caleb Williams, or 3. opt for a player at a different position as their first pick, potentially targeting Marvin Harrison Jr.
If the Bears ultimately opt to select Williams in the draft, Justin Fields would likely become surplus to requirements and swiftly become available for trade. It’s unlikely that a quarterback competition would unfold in Chicago, with Fields either backing up Williams or vice versa.
Fields, who was drafted eleventh overall in 2021, has appeared in 40 NFL games. He boasts a 60.3 percent completion rate, 6,674 passing yards, and 40 touchdowns to 30 interceptions. Additionally, as a dual-threat quarterback, the 24-year-old has accumulated 2,220 rushing yards and 14 rushing touchdowns.
In December, Senior NFL reporter Charles Robinson surveyed seven NFL executives, who largely concurred that the Bears should transition away from Fields and select Williams in the draft. Five out of the seven executives suggested that Fields’ value would be around a third-round pick, while the remaining two believed a second-round pick would be adequate.
The general managers provided various rationales for trading Fields and selecting Williams: highlighting Williams’ significant talent, his superior skills as a passer, the chance to start anew with a rookie quarterback contract, and the impending decision on Fields’ fifth-year option this spring, given that more information seems warranted.
Therefore, if Fields becomes accessible, might the New England Patriots show interest? Patriots insider Phil Perry raised such a possibility, proposing a hypothetical trade in which New England could obtain the Ohio State talent in exchange for the 68th pick. Perry outlined his reasoning:
“He could serve as a transitional quarterback with potential for improvement. He would offer the type of leadership that could guide the team through what might be a challenging 2024 season, especially with changes in the offensive line and uncertainties surrounding the playmakers. Moreover, his athleticism and arm strength could provide opportunities for improvisation, which would be valuable for a new offensive coordinator.”
If the Patriots stick to their guns and keep the third overall pick, they’ll have the luxury of selecting either Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, or Jayden Daniels. It’s a straightforward decision.
Nevertheless, New England must exercise extreme caution when considering drafting a quarterback solely for the sake of it. This approach has led numerous NFL teams astray, resulting in perpetual disappointment in quarterback performance.
If they don’t have genuine affection for any of the available options at number three, they might be tempted by the prospect of acquiring a younger quarterback who has already proven himself to some extent.