The New England Patriots made wild news as they agreed to terms with receiver Antonio Brown on a one-year, $15 million deal with a $9 million signing bonus on Saturday.
What are some of the biggest takeaways?
1. A total shock
The Patriot Way, right?
We’ve heard about it for the last two decades. Bill Belichick has no time for self-interested players — unless they’re one of the most talented players at their position. Brown has been exactly that, in both respects. He forced his way out of Pittsburgh and Oakland, reportedly threatening to punch Raiders general manager Mike Mayock. He then asked the team to release him on Instagram, prior to becoming a free agent this afternoon.
On the other hand, Brown has been among the best receivers in the NFL. He played in 15 games in 2018 and totaled 104 receptions for 1,297 yards and 15 touchdowns. He has had eight or more touchdowns and 1,200 or more receiving yards in each of the past six seasons. If Belichick and the Patriots can get Brown on talking that “Patriot Way” mantra, the sky is the limit.
2. How good can this offense be?
Back to the football side — the hype train is here. This could be the best offense quarterback Tom Brady has had in his 20 seasons. It has the potential to be among the best offenses in the history of the NFL.
Brown is among the best receivers in the game, and adding him to Julian Edelman in the slot, as well as Josh Gordon at the “X” receiver. It should be insane. Never mind the fact that the Patriots have significant depth at running back with Sony Michel, James White, Rex Burkhead and Damien Harris. In two-receiver sets, the Patriots can throw out Brown and Edelman. In three-receiver sets, Brown at the “Z,” Edelman in the slot and Gordon at the “X” is as good as any group in the NFL.
It’s actually laughable, considering that Brady was throwing to a three-receiver set of Braxton Berrios, Gunner Olszewski and Dontrelle Inman in joint practices in Tennessee during the second week of the preseason.
3. How will team camaraderie be impacted?
As fans reacted to the signing, this was the biggest concern. It’s the biggest reason the Patriots should not want to sign the four-time All-Pro. Not all current Patriots have been longtime fans of Brown’s either. Cornerback Stephon Gilmore said Brown made a “super-dirty” play during the Patriots’ 17-10 loss in Pittsburgh last year. Gilmore continued to say that Brown was “one of the best receivers today” that same day.
As Edelman has said this year, the more good players you have on your team, the better the team will be. Brown is an excellent player, and Edelman seemed to put his opinion on display shortly after the Patriots made the addition Saturday.
4. What does this mean for other receivers?
Brown quickly becomes the most talented player on the offense, and thus, the most talented receiver on the depth chart. That’s not to say that Brown will overstep Edelman as Brady’s most trusted target, but the situation could put other receivers in a bind. Phillip Dorsett will likely see fewer snaps, and as with the addition of Gordon last year, fewer targets. If Gordon is able to remain on the field, Demaryius Thomas likely will join Dorsett in the category of receivers that see fewer offensive snaps. N’Keal Harry, the 2019 first-round draft choice, is on injured reserve but is expected to return. If he does, he’ll be buried even deeper on the depth chart.
Here’s what the receiving corps looks like:
Edelman
Brown
Gordon
Thomas
Dorsett
Harry (IR)
Jakobi Meyers
Gunner Olszewski
Keep in mind that the Patriots need to cut a player to open a roster spot for Brown. Could it be one of the receivers?
5. Who is on the chopping block?
As mentioned, the addition of Brown means the Patriots will have to release someone. That cut could come at the receiver position.
While Meyers was a standout playing with backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham, he could be in danger. Olszewski, the undrafted rookie who was among the main storylines during the preseason, could also has a chance to be released. It could very well depend on how much the Patriots value Olszewski’s return skills.
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