We’re running a mailbag every Friday during the offseason. If you have questions on the Patriots, NFL, or want to gripe about past answers, email cmason@masslive.com or tweet @bychrismason. Now let’s get to this week’s questions!
Which veteran free agents should they sign? I have my own personal ones I want them to sign but I’d like to see your thoughts. — Michelle F.
One name rises about the rest: Stephon Gilmore.
Taking a look at the schedule is also a reminder of the gauntlet of quarterbacks they’ll face: Allen, Joe Burrow, Aaron Rodgers, Justin Herbert, C.J. Stroud, Caleb Williams, etc. They could certainly use another quality cornerback, and Gilmore is still just sitting on the free agent market.
Earlier this offseason, a source told colleague Karen Guregian that Gilmore was open to returning to the Patriots. He’d be a terrific mentor for Christian Gonzalez, New England doesn’t have a ton of depth at the position, and they currently lead the league with $50 million in cap space.
Why not make this happen?
Beyond Gilmore, there aren’t a ton of enticing options left on the market that fit positional needs. Xavien Howard is out there, but regressed quite a bit last season. Elsewhere, Justin Simmons is an excellent safety, but the Patriots already have two clear starters there in Jabrill Peppers and Kyle Dugger, who was just paid handsomely himself.
Ultimately, Gilmore is the free agent I’d make a real push for.
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What do you think of the Patriots’ schedule? What’s your win total for the year? — Jordan K.
It’s pretty brutal. The schedule maker did the Patriots no favors.
They’ll start the season playing 13 straight games because their bye isn’t until December. That Week 14 bye isn’t after their London game, so they’ll have to recover from a trip overseas quickly. The league didn’t put San Francisco and Arizona back-to-back as the Patriots reportedly requested, so they’ll fly to the West Coast twice. And they finish the season with two games against Josh Allen in three weeks.
Basically nothing broke their way.
The abundance of 1 p.m. starts will be welcomed by some in the fan base — and everybody in the press box — though. They only play one prime time game (on Thursday Night Football) and 11 of their games with start times announced are 1 p.m. kickoffs.
My way-too-early prediction is that they’ll go 6-11, but a ton hinges on Drake Maye’s development.
With the roster filling up, do you see the Patriots trading for an impact player or will they just keep the cap money they didn’t spend? —Miller
At this point, I’d be surprised if there was a really significant addition. There’s obviously going to be some tinkering between now and Week 1, but I don’t think an earth-shattering move is coming. They may just roll a bunch of that cap space over to 2025.
Whats one underrated storyline that deserves more attention heading into the summer? — Conor M.
The Week 1 starter at left guard.
Caedan Wallace’s flip to left tackle has gotten plenty of attention — and rightfully so — but it’ll also be interesting to see who’s starting at guard. Cole Strange’s job might not be secure as he works his way back from a knee injury. The Patriots signed veteran Nick Leverett in free agency, and at rookie minicamp, fourth-round pick Layden Robinson was repping at left guard.
There’s a competition brewing there.
This season can we expect something similar to what we saw in 1993 when Bill Parcells and Drew Bledsoe debuted? Of course, leaving aside the career differences between Parcells and Jerod Mayo. — Lizandro G.
I think that’s a good comparison if Maye wins the job this summer and plays a ton.
That 1993 season was really about resetting the deck with a new coach and developing Drew Bledsoe. As the season wore on, the rookie quarterback got better. The Patriots finished 5-11, but won their final four games and built some momentum heading into 1994, where they became a Wild Card team.
However, if Maye sits as a rookie, it’s all kind of moot.
Why should anyone watch this fall? — Sean S.
Because football is the best sport on earth.
Now that the schedule is out what would be your No. 1 away game to attend. (If you only got to go to one)? – Mike M.
For me personally? Chicago. I’ve (somehow) never been to the city and think the Bears are going to be a fascinating team with Caleb Williams.
Honorable mentions: London, San Francisco, Tennessee.
