@Savageboston@MikeGiardi@BostonSportsBSJ There's a big reason why they never paid 3 guys at the top of the market and his name was Bill Belichick. I'm not saying the Krafts haven't been stingy with money in the past, but Belichick's role in not paying up for players was a bigger factor.
The narrative from the media that the Patriots were bidding against themself, so they should have stood ten toes down until Howie dropped the price for AJ Brown – is goofy.
You're assuming not one single team in the league would've gotten involved (or re-engaged) with Philly once the cost was dropped.
There will be two full seasons of football played before the Patriots would've used that first rounder — before the Eagles can use it... how does that pick help you the next two seasons?
Betting on an asset two seasons down the road seems like a worse proposition than betting on AJ Brown returning to All-Pro form in 2026.
The Patriots have $40M in cap space left for 2026, and are in great financial shape the following season — even if you factor in Gonzo's extension, they're still set up well heading into Maye's contract year.
Take the risks now with your All-Pro QB on a rookie contract.
@KMV_347 No, the goal is to field the best possible squad for 2026 without compromising the future. Trash franchises punt the future for a chance at a single-season crown, and if you’ve actually followed the Patriots for more than 5 years, you’d know that.
I like the idea of what Kyle Williams can become, but I love what Stefon Diggs currently is. If you're saying the Patriots shouldn't sign Diggs because it will hurt Kyle's development – that's not the goal.
The goal right now is to field the best starting 11 on offense while Drake Maye is on a rookie contract, and win a SB.
Developing players and developing star players are two different things, the latter is a grift sold to fans. Your team isn't drafting a WR in the 3rd round and developing him into a star WR1 by the end of his rookie contract.
The Puka's and ASB's of the world that people want to call out as examples are part of the grift — they were studs from day 1.
I like the idea of what Kyle Williams can become, but I love what Stefon Diggs currently is. If you're saying the Patriots shouldn't sign Diggs because it will hurt Kyle's development – that's not the goal.
The goal right now is to field the best starting 11 on offense while Drake Maye is on a rookie contract, and win a SB.
@Savageboston You can't hype the 2027 draft and also say a 2028 first is the same as any other year. The mental gymnastics Howie defenders are doing this week are truly special.