Are the Patriots “tremendous low-cost,” as Invoice Simmons just lately claimed?
You would make the case by trying strictly on the offense, which was rudderless final season as New England stumbled to a 4-13 end.
Warren Sharp, an NFL analytics guru, on Friday listed every group in line with the present wage cap house allotted to offense. The Patriots ranked twenty seventh, forward of solely 5 organizations (Washington Commanders, Tennessee Titans, Los Angeles Chargers, Inexperienced Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers).
New England had $89.2 million in cap house allotted to the offense as of Friday morning, per Sharp. This isn’t precisely information for individuals who’ve adopted the Patriots’ offseason, however it however paints an unsettling image for anybody banking on New England to make an offensive splash in free company and/or by way of commerce earlier than the 2024 season kicks off.
Story continues under commercial
After all, there’s nonetheless time for the Patriots to reinforce their roster. They usually maintain the No. 3 general choose within the 2024 NFL Draft, which positions them to land a high-end quarterback who might change the franchise’s fortunes.
Plus, cash spent isn’t an important indicator of success. Simply have a look at the Packers, who boast an rising offense below Jordan Love regardless of rating twenty ninth — under the Patriots — on this explicit class. Or the Browns, who sit atop the rankings largely as a consequence of Deshaun Watson being paid handsomely to make a minimal impression in Cleveland to date.
Nonetheless, the notion across the Patriots is that they’re unwilling to spend the cash crucial to rejuvenate their offense. (Take their failed pursuit of large receiver Calvin Ridley, as an example.) And Sharp’s current put up on X will do little to dispel that narrative.
Story continues under commercial
For what it’s price, the Patriots rank fourth in defensive spending, per Over The Cap, trailing solely the Steelers, Packers and San Francisco 49ers. It’s simply unclear whether or not that’ll be sufficient for New England to dramatically enhance below first-year head coach Jerod Mayo following Invoice Belichick’s departure.