Patriots free agency: The Trent Brown trade isn’t perfect, but it might be necessary.
In a perfect world, the Patriots wouldn’t think twice about letting Trent Brown enter free agency this offseason. But all is not well with New England’s offensive line.Brown and teammates have Mike Onwenu better and both are free agents. There is no proven domestic successor.
The Patriots’ need for a new franchise quarterback could prevent them from landing a plug-and-play left tackle in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. New England’s O-line, which has had its worst performance in the last two seasons, is inexperienced inside, aside from David Andrews.
So the Patriots may have to look to reunite with Brown, who is healthy and committed but shaky in both areas. It can also cause obvious locker room headaches.Here are the pros and cons of the Patriots re-signing Trent Brown.exampleNo one can dispute Brown’s talent. The 6-foot-2 behemoth is a matchup nightmare and one of the best left tackles in football. He finished the 2023 season as the No. 1 running back. 11 by Pro Football Focus and spent part of the season ranked No. 1. He is also tough. when he wants Brown played in all 17 games in 2022 and dealt with multiple injuries before missing three of the final four games of 2023. Again, if he works out and fits, he’s everything you want in a left tackle.
Brown’s issues on and off the field could lead to a drop in free agency. The 30-year-old could be forced to sign a shortened deal, perhaps a one-year trial deal. If the Patriots’ plan is to pick in the top three rounds, they might want some capable, cheap insurance if the prospect isn’t a Week 1 starter. In the end, it all comes down to the quarterback. New England can’t afford a running back with a patchwork O-line, whether they bring in someone early in the draft or bring in a veteran. There are no great options in free agency. Brown and Onwenu are probably the best.
It wasn’t perfect, but Brown may need a new contract. Counter exampleMaybe it’s time for both parties to go their separate ways.Brown tore apart the Patriots from top to bottom in an offseason interview with NESN.com. He also had a season-high number of shutouts. Meanwhile, according to multiple reports, some Patriots players don’t want Brown to return. And if it’s true that Brown refused to play despite the injury and was cleared before being cleared, the Patriots can’t risk the young players who look to him as a role model.
They have to rebuild a culture that has been partially eroded in recent years. That’s thanks in part to players like Brown. There are clear benefits to using Brown. But they do not overcome the cons. Finally, the Patriots need to take a different direction with one of the most important positions on the team.
