It looks like the Patriots could end up receiving a big boost on both sides of the ball next season.
Last summer, the team took a hit with an NFL-high eight opt outs due to COVID-19. At the time, it was unknown if any or all of the players would return in. That list was headlined by linebacker Dont’a Hightower, safety Patrick Chung, tackle Marcus Cannon and running back Brandon Bolden.
According to Devin McCourty, who spoke on the NBC Sports' Patriots Talk Podcast on Friday, the Patriots are expected to get all of their opt-outs back for the 2021 season.
“From my understanding, they’ll all be back,” McCourty said. “B. Bolden, High, Chung. So, I can’t wait. Those are my guys — Cannon. I just can’t wait to be back around those guys. Even outside of football, seeing them every day, seeing their nice faces.”
The absence of those opt outs, which also included Danny Vitale, Marqise Lee, Matt LaCosse and Najee Toran, can’t be understated.
Hightower, 30, was coming off a Pro Bowl season in 2019. That year, he finished with 71 tackles, 5.5 sacks and 13 quarterback hits. Losing Hightower was a void the Patriots couldn't replace last season. If he returns, the Patriots will add a player who will make the defense better against the run and the pass. That’s also the case with Chung. The 33-year-old strong safety would help the Patriots cover tight ends and against the run. He'd add great depth alongside McCourty, Kyle Dugger and Adrian Phillips.
On offense, the addition of Cannon, 32, would be another boost. He's been the Patriots starting right tackle since 2016, in which he was named an All-Pro. When he opted out, the Pats turned to Jermaine Eluemunor until rookie guard Michael Onwenu finished the season at right tackle. If Cannon comes back, the Pats could move rookie Onwenu back to guard. Onwenu could be a potential replacement for left guard Joe Thuney, who’s a free agent.
Bolden tweeted that he was coming back last month. He’ll add to the running back depth and special teams unit. The Pats will also get a boost with LaCosse, who likely would’ve been the Patriots starting tight end in 2020.
Although these players can opt back in, it does remain to be seen if the Patriots want to keep these players on their current contracts. Hightower ($12.445 million), Cannon ($9.622 million) and Chung ($5.133 million) have the three highest cap hits out of the eight opted out players. The Pats could release or attempt to restructure any of the above.
