The Patriots just aren't good enough.
That's not a newsflash if you've been watching this team here through the first eight weeks of the season, but it's the cold, harsh reality that the decision-makers in the building need to accept. Acceptance can spur change, something the Pats desperately need. We're not talking about a tweak here or there. That's what they did this offseason, jettisoning Matt Patricia and replacing him with Bill O'Brien, swapping out Jakobi Meyers for JuJu Smith-Schuster. No, this is the kind of change that resonates throughout the league. But we'll allow the rest of the regular season to play out - or come close - before we decide exactly what those moves need to be (eyeballing head coach and quarterback). In the short term, the trade deadline is 4 p.m. Tuesday, and it is time to sell, sell, sell.
Now understand this: the Pats aren't recouping significant draft capital. There's basically no one on this active roster who would fetch a first-round pick, so disabuse yourself of that notion right now. Ditto for a second-round pick unless they'd consider moving on from someone like Christian Barmore (and the way he's playing right now, that would be counterproductive, like deciding to go on a diet after you bought all your favorite foods). But everyone else should be on the table. At 2-6, no one on this team has been so good that you can't live without them, and the number of players who should be a part of the turnaround the rest of this season and beyond are few and far between.
The secretary at One Patriot Place has been busy this past week. The Pats are being eyeballed by several contenders for a potential sell-off. It starts with free-agent-to-be Josh Uche, who didn't play for a second straight game with a foot injury (he was close). His "bend-ability" at the top of his rush has drawn the attention of multiple suitors. Despite his pedestrian numbers this season, Uche remains an analytic darling with good metrics on several pass-rushing fronts. It doesn't appear the former University of Michigan standout is in the Pats' future plans, at least where he sees his people see his current and future value as compared to the organization, so why dicker here? Take the best offer and move on to the next. There have been reports that indicate Uche could be worth as high as a third-round selection, but the sources I've talked to around the league believe the best the Pats could get is a 4. Fine. Fax the agreement (does anyone still fax?) to Park Avenue and move on to Kyle Dugger, Mike Gesicki, and other veteran flotsam and jetsam you no longer need.
I'm not deluding myself into thinking you can move off one of the overpriced wideouts - DeVante Parker or JuJu Smith-Schuster. Parker had to leave Sunday's game with a concussion while JuJu finally caught a touchdown pass, he was only playing because the Pats had gotten dangerously thin at the position (following Kendrick Bourne's injury). If someone wants to take either of those two on, don't ask what the return is. Assume that whatever team would do that was looking at the wrong tape and don't correct them. Just smile and nod. And make sure the deal is official before you break into a little dance.
I've avoided writing about Mike Onwenu, Trent Brown, Hunter Henry, or Bourne. Part of this is strictly about necessity. The Pats don't have any offensive tackles they trust, and if we're being honest, they should think long and hard about inking Brown to a new deal. I don't love the idea of giving him real money - his past history with the Raiders says that's bad - but he's really been one of the better left tackles in football this year, and, just as important, you know him and what he's about, and he knows you and what you're about. Of course, if you see his replacement in the draft - and I mean top-10 or 15-type talent - okay, but we're still a ways off of that.
Onwenu is in a different category of player - a guard playing tackle because of desperation - but moving him would make the offense even more untenable than it already is. He's not staying, but Big Mike must remain because Mac - or whoever takes snaps - needs to survive the rest of the season. For me, that's about cementing, once and for all, that Jones isn't the future at that position, but I'm willing to let that play out as well.
As for Henry, he leads, and when this season comes to a close, there's still a chance he could be convinced to stay. Slim but not out of the realm. On Bourne, if his knee isn't ruined (MRI Monday), he should stick around. He isn't a one or a two. Still, he is productive and a willing combatant. If you find someone to command more attention - as Demario Douglas did on Bourne's touchdown today (Pop was doubled) - then he can eat pretty well and be a piece of a reconfigured and hopefully more productive offense next year. After that, all lines are open, and all offers will be considered. Hell, if you buy one, maybe the Pats will throw a second one in free.
Part of the change the Pats must embrace is accepting that wins run counter to what this team needs now. Does that mean trading to tank should be the mantra over the next 48 hours or so? Being a middler does this organization absolutely nothing. It's what they've been since Brady was allowed to walk out that door. The Pats have a talent deficiency, and between some choice draft picks that could grow in value the more this team loses and oodles of cash they have entering free agency, there's a chance this becomes just a one-time thing. Embrace the suck in the short-term with hopes that this franchise can rediscover its winning ways and not only find a playoff path in 2024-25 but become a team that can actually compete for Lombardi Trophies because that's really what this is supposed to be all about.