The Patriots have a real shot at keeping a majority of their team together for the following season after winning the Super Bowl. Outside of Darrelle Revis, there are not too many lingering questions regarding player contracts. However, age could start to become a factor and while Tom Brady denies it is hurting him, the team might look to get some more athletic bodies in during free agency which could lead to a few releases.
Most of the season, the criticism of the Patriots rested on their wide receiver corps. Throughout the year, they benefitted from a perfectly healthy Rob Gronkowski, an overachieving Julian Edelman and newcomer Brandon LaFell. However, the rotation also came with a lot of dead weight including Danny Amendola, Aaron Dobson and Kenbrell Thompkins. Some of that was taken care of, but the Patriots could release at least one more player in free agency.
Amendola's future with the Patriots has been in doubt since his arrival. Outside of his touchdown in the Super Bowl and minor contributions on special teams, the wide receiver's season was forgettable. It has been heavily reported by the Boston Herald and Boston Globe that a release of the wide receiver is very likely if the Patriots feel they can get something better. Amendola has a contract that runs through the 2017 season. He is set to be a heavy $5 million cap hit and his stats simply do not reflect that.
The Patriots continue to get linked to a trade for Larry Fitzgerald. It is unclear where the wide receiver stands at the moment with the Arizona Cardinals. AZCentral.com reported negotiations with his contract were ongoing, but Fitzgerald was speaking like a man ready to move on. The same can be said for Mike Wallace who is a real talent, but never fit in with the Miami Dolphins. If the Patriots make a move to acquire either player, Amendola and Dobson are gone.
Questions also surround LeGarrette Blount who returned to the Patriots mid-season following a release from the Pittsburgh Steelers. New England has both Stevan Ridley and Shane Vereen hitting free agency and could opt to retain Blount who appears to fit well in the system. If now, they can chase players like Mark Ingram, Knowshon Moreno or CJ Spiller with a contract.
The Patriots will be smart with their money, but the team needs younger bodies. Re-signing Darrelle REvis is certainly not a bad idea, but not at the money he is likely to command. Getting one more bigger wide receiver in the rotation will certainly help as well.
