The list of potential Patriots free agents is uninspiring, much like the team that took the field this fall and winter. Unlike last year, when there were a handful of players worthy of being brought back on extension, this year, not so much.
The case for (if there is one) and against.
- Jacoby Brissett: He's familiar with Josh McDaniels' offense. He has starting experience. You can get by for a game or two if you need it. But beyond that, if McDaniels sees a future for Joe Milton, there's no reason to spend any real money on a backup this season.
- Daniel Ekuale: He's a rotational piece who was forced to play nearly 70% of the snaps this year because of Christian Barmore's health issues and Armon Watts' inability to make the team out of camp. I'd bring him back but wouldn't go much further than $3.5 or $4 million, depending on the new coaching staff's vision for the interior DL.
- JaMychal Hasty: Find a younger, pass-catching back in the draft or free agency. If he's back, there's not much guaranteed money on the table, and he can be a camp competitor.
- Jaylinn Hawkins: Played 55% of the defensive snaps and 70% on special teams. He's a pro. But Hawkins is unremarkable at safety. Not much of a ball-hawk and not quite big enough to make an impact in the box. No one will complain if they go in a different direction.
- Austin Hooper: He was a good fit for Alex Van Pelt's West Coast scheme and had his best years under Kyle Shanahan's WCO in Atlanta. Will he fit in with how McD wants to play? I'm sure he could, but it would be nice to draft a tight end somewhere in rounds 2-4 and groom Hunter Henry's successor. Hooper doesn't turn 31 until November. He made a little over $3 million this season. Would he go for something similar this year? If so, I'd do it.
- Jonathan Jones: He's not what he was, but he's versatile and emerged as a vocal leader this year. Jones would be a good piece to have around as the Pats make this transition, and it won't cost all that much. He didn't love his playing time being reduced late in the year, but unless Jones wants to ring chase - and who would blame him? - finishing in NE makes sense.
- Joey Slye: You either find a kicker who's having one of those years, or you run through the 25 or so guys who are virtually interchangeable and go that route. Slye was that guy for the Pats this season, hitting 26-of-33 field goals. Bring him back and add a young leg as competition. Or don't. I'm fine either way.
- Deatrich Wise: He led the team in sacks (5) but didn't have the kind of impact we've become accustomed to. Considering he'll be 31 in July, Wise could also be at the end of the line. Well-respected in the locker room. Did you know he made $24 million over the last four years?
- Oshane Ximines: Some buzz about the veteran in training camp, but he blew out his knee two games into the regular season. He's 28. I'm good.
ERFA (Exclusive rights free agents: Per NFL.com, any player with fewer than three accrued seasons and an expired contract. If his original team offers him a one-year contract at the league minimum (based on his credited seasons), the player cannot negotiate with other teams)
- Ben Brown: Lot of credit to him for becoming the starting center about 3 seconds after being plucked off the Raiders practice squad. He wasn't bad, and bringing him back won't cost much.
- Jeremiah Pharms: Ended up being active for 16 games this season, which reflected the team's lack of depth up front more than his skill level. I see him as a break-glass-in-case-of-emergency guy.
- Demontrey Jacobs: That the second-year tackle ended up playing 90% of the team's snaps says a whole hell of a lot, doesn't it? Limited. Don't do it.
- Alex Austin: Once again had a late-season surge after missing the first 12 games with an ankle injury. I'd look for a better #2 outside corner, but we'll see how this new regime decides to spend their free agent dollars. Regardless, I bring Austin back.
RFA (Restricted free agent - Per NFL.com, A player with three accrued seasons and an expired contract. RFAs are free to negotiate and sign with any team. Still, their original team can offer them one of various qualifying offers ("tenders") that come with the right of first refusal and/or draft-pick compensation. If the tender is withdrawn by a team, the RFA becomes an unrestricted free agent.)
- Christian Elliss: For the first time in his five-year career, Elliss had to assume a regular role in the defense. But make no mistake; he's supposed to be a special teamer/dime LB (at best). With RFAs, the Pats can place a first-round, second-round, or right-of-first-refusal tender on a player. It's the latter option or none at all.
COMMANDERS AT EAGLES (SUNDAY, 3 PM)
Can a precocious rookie quarterback solve what a sage defensive coordinator will throw at him? That's a massive subplot of Sunday's NFC Championship game between the upstart Commanders and the favored Eagles.
Washington signal caller Jayden Daniels has been the best at the position during this postseason, not looking at all like a first-year player. It goes beyond the eye-popping statistics (567 yards, 4 TDs, 0 INTs, plus 87 yards rushing). It's the poise and complete command over all that he sees. Unfazed is the word that comes to mind. Blitz him? Daniels knows the answer. Flood the secondary with 7 defenders? Daniels waits you out, either with his arm or by using his Lamar-like legs.
“He’s a young quarterback by birth certificate, not by the tape," observed Fangio. "The guy is playing extremely well. You can tell how much they think he's playing so good by the volume of their offense, the things they trust them to do. He's come through for them in a big way."
"He's tough to handle," said linebacker Zack Baun. “He’s dynamic; he can throw the ball, and he makes all his reads. He doesn’t play like a rookie quarterback, and we’re not going to treat him like one.”
The Commanders have won seven straight, including a 36-33 thriller over the Eagles in week 16. Daniels threw five touchdown passes in that game, including three in the 4th quarter. From a blitz perspective, Fangio was far more aggressive in that game (25% versus 8% in their first meeting). It didn't work, which again speaks to Daniels' ability to handle whatever is thrown his way.
“There’s a lot of great things about him,” said cornerback Darius Slay. “He can move, he can throw on the run, he’s got great accuracy down the field. He makes smart decisions; he’s a poised kid. And he’s a very humble kid, man."
It should be noted that Washington's best offensive lineman, Sam Cosmi, tore up his knee in the divisional round and is lost for the season. Jalen Carter, the best defender on the field against LA with eight QB pressures, could eat on Sunday. Keep an eye on the second-year pro.
The Eagles had their hands full in the divisional round, needing a late red-zone stand to survive the surging Rams. Jalen Hurts injured his knee in that game (reported MCL sprain) and was largely ineffective as a passer.
"It's a part of the game," said Hurts this week. "I've told you guys, I've submitted myself to doing whatever it takes to win. Some things come with that. But ultimately, gotta make the adjustments you need to make to play at a high level. There won't be any excuses coming in or coming out."
As usual, Saquon Barkley bailed out Hurts and the Philly offense with 205 yards rushing and a pair of long touchdowns versus the Rams. He won't win the MVP, but Barkley belongs in the conversation, showing up week in and week out. He's in line for another productive day on Sunday. The Commanders are in the bottom three in run defense this season, and the Eagles are in the top three for rushing offense.
"He does a good job of finding these little creases and finding gaps," said Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu. "On our side of the ball on defense, we just gotta be in our gaps and be really disciplined...he's going to test every gap, so we just gotta be disciplined, and when the time comes, we just gotta make our hits."
If Dan Quinn is smart, Washington will devote extra resources to slow Barkley and put the game on Hurts' shoulders. To say the $50 million man has been underwhelming is, well, an understatement. Hurts threw for 131 yards in the Eagles' first-round win over the Packers, then 128 last weekend. In fact, over his last six starts, Hurts has only gone over 200 yards passing once. His best receiver, A.J. Brown, is sitting on the bench reading a self-help book between series (please don't spin that like it's cool. It's not).
"I’m expecting Jalen to be Jalen," said Barkley. "He’s gonna show up for it. He’s gonna make plays. He’s a winner. He has that ‘It’ factor, like I’ve said multiple times."
BILLS AT CHIEFS (SUNDAY, 6:30)
Is this finally the year the Buffalo Bills beat the Kansas City Chiefs in the playoffs? They've met three times in the last four seasons, and all ended with the same result - a Chiefs win, including the unforgettable 13-second game in the 2021 divisional round.
“You learn from all of the scars,” said left tackle Dion Dawkins. “You never want that feeling again.”
That starkly contrasts how the regular season has played out over that time. The Bills have beaten the Chiefs in their last four regular-season matchups, including in week 11.
"It feels like a divisional game," said KC safety Justin Reid. "I mean, we know them really well; they know us really well. In the offseason, both of us are preparing for each other because we know we're going to come against each other, probably twice, like it feels like every year."
“Looking forward to it,” said Sean McDermott. “Great challenge, another great team, certainly well coached. Coach (Andy) Reid does a phenomenal job, he and his staff. Yeah, tough challenge.”
McDermott and defensive coordinator Bobby Babich did a nice job against Patrick Mahomes during the November game. While this version of the Chiefs will never be confused for the high-flying bunch during Mahomes' early days, their passing game has improved even if their line play remains inconsistent.
Meanwhile, the Bills are far more balanced than they've been, with offensive coordinator Joe Brady willing to have Josh Allen hand the ball off to James Cook, Ty Johnson, and Ray Davis. But KC limited the ground game earlier this year, and Allen needed to turn into Superman - and did.
"Guy's like, built in a factory, man," said Reid. "He's 6-[foot]-5, big, can run the ball well, has a cannon for an arm, launches it 60 yards downfield when he needs to, and then the most special part about him is his ability to create. Because there'll be plays where all of his targets are taken away, and he'll just spin something up and use his legs, go and make something special or scramble, buy enough time to find the guy running down the sideline or something like that, so it is a challenge.
"On the [defensive] backfield, it's about plastering; make sure you're staying with your guy. Up front, it's about continuing to pass rush and having the wind to be able to chase after him for 60 minutes. Talented player, super talented, has been playing at an MVP level."
While Mahomes isn't the physical presence Allen is, you know the resume by now. He has an uncanny ability to make a play when KC needs it the most. Mahomes is now one win away from a fifth Super Bowl appearance. Only two other quarterbacks in history can claim such success - Tom Brady (10) and John Elway (5).
"Patrick is one of the greatest to ever play the game, and they're one of the greatest teams to ever be assembled," added Allen. "Going for a three-peat, and that's what everybody wants to be in this league - to have the sustained success they've had."
"I've played against Josh enough times to know that he's going to come out there and play great football, especially in those big moments,'' Mahomes said. "I have to play my best football whenever I get the opportunity to and try to put our team in the best position to succeed. If that's limiting turnovers, if that's changing the field position, whatever that is, you have to find a way that day to win."
The Bills are coming off their two best running games (from a success rate) of the season. If the offensive line - one of the game's best - can pave the way for Cook and company, it would be an excellent foundation for an upset. That's especially true when you consider Chiefs DC Steve Spagnuolo dialed up more blitzes (16 of 45 dropbacks) in that earlier meeting and consequently had the Bills passing attack riding the struggle bus. Buffalo doesn't have consistent man-beaters on the outside (though Amari Cooper showed up in that one), meaning a ton of tight-window throws (Khalil Shakir ate in that game). Allen's arguably been the league's best decision-maker this season, but can he be coaxed into a mistake or two? If anyone can drag it out of him, it's Spags.
As for KC, history is right there in front of them. None of the previous 8 back-to-back Super Bowl champions returned to the Super Bowl the following season (3 lost in the Conference Championship). Reid and Mahomes could become the 3rd HC-QB duo to win 4+ Super Bowls together (joining Belichick/Brady and Noll/Bradshaw).
“It’s not normal in this league to have this much-sustained success,” said right guard Trey Smith. “You understand how special this is. In the offseason, training with players from various organizations they don’t have the same experience. Honestly, the only word that comes to mind is gratitude.”
We'll see how thankful they are on Sunday night.
said multiple times."
ODDS AND ENDS
- The Cowboys are doing their damnedest to be an unserious organization. Jerry Jones moved on from Mike McCarthy so he could hire his offensive coordinator, Brian Schottenheimer? Look, it's not as if Schottenheimer is a hack, but this move is uninspired no doubt cheap, and unbecoming of the team with that clout and financial wherewithal.
- Bill Belichick finally signed his North Carolina contract. Let's move on.
- Early buzz on University of Miami QB Cam Ward isn't great. Essentially backed out of the Senior Bowl and ignored a call from a GM whose team is in position/needs to grab a QB this year. Meanwhile, say what you will about Shadeur Sanders, but he is honoring his commitment to the Shrine Bowl, though he won't play (but will interview).