Eight-year veteran Nate Ebner is hitting the free agency market on March 18.
He’s spent his entire NFL career with the New England Patriots and has no desire to leave in 2020. The 31 year old logged 14 games in 2019 with the Patriots, while trailing Matthew Slater and Brandon Bolden for the most special teams snaps. Ebner is a hard-nosed former rugby player who embodies the Patriots Way.
He’s earned a little less than $10 million in his NFL career and seems to be content with the team-friendly contracts he’s attained. The Patriots have around $30 million in cap space, with Tom Brady, Devin McCourty, Kyle Van Noy and Matthew Slater leading the priority list. Ebner made a career-high $2 million last season and the Patriots would likely have to forfeit around that amount to retain him.
It would be worth it.
Slater isn’t going to retire and said he wants to remain a Patriot, but it isn’t guaranteed both parties can strike a deal. The Patriots also lost special teams coordinator Joe Judge this offseason, who spent eight seasons with the team. They currently have Cam Achord as an assistant special teams coach and newly-signed Joe Houston.
If Slater were to leave this offseason, the Patriots would lack foundation and structure amongst the group. New England’s historic dynasty has relied on the foundational pieces with Robert Kraft, Bill Belichick, Tom Brady, Dante Scarnecchia, Josh McDaniels and Nick Caserio. These cornerstone individuals have set the standard for everyone coming in, and the special teams group would lack that if Slater left — considering the fact Judge is already gone.
Ebner, Brandon Bolden and recently-acquired Pro Bowl special teamer Justin Bethel would take on the leadership roles in the group. Ebner has the most experience in New England’s system within this group and would be the role model for young guys learning the Patriots’ special teams system.
The Patriots have a ton of major decisions to make this offseason, but retaining Ebner should be looked at as a priority.
