Call him dollar Bill(s), Coach Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots who were in great financial shape with the salary cap, came out swinging (and spending) in free agency.
Adjusted salary caps for each 2021 #NFL team per the confirmed $182.5M league cap. These represent each team's total cap ceiling after including rollover & adjustments from the 2020 season. pic.twitter.com/50Zw0xVPTL
— Spotrac (@spotrac) March 10, 2021
The Patriots have spent $273 million over the last 24 hours. And they aren't done.
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) March 16, 2021
Who The Patriots Reportedly Have Deals With
Remember that nothing is official until tomorrow at 4 pm EDT when the NFL year officially begins.
A scorecard is almost necessary to keep track of who the Patriots will be signing deals with tomorrow.
- Nelson Agholor, wide receiver from Las Vegas Raiders
- Henry Anderson, defensive tackle from New York Jets
- Kenrick Bourne, wide receiver from San Francisco 49ers
- Davon Godchaux, defensive tackle from Miami Dolphins
- Hunter Henry, tight end from Los Angeles Chargers
- Matthew Judon, linebacker from Baltimore Ravens
- Jalen Mills, defensive back from Philadelphia Eagles
- Jonnu Smith, tight end from Tennessee Titans
What The Patriots Shared On Social Media
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) March 15, 2021
Posted yesterday, this is a throwback photo from the 2020 NFL Draft which was held virtually.
Pictured is Belichick’s dog, Nike, at mission control wheeling and dealing.
The Patriots exemplify Nike’s namesake’s punchline; they are just doing it in 2021.
They are on an unparalleled spending spree.
What Does It Mean?
The spending spree tells us something we already know; Bill Belichick does not like to lose.
He sat in his house on the first Sunday in February after not making the playoffs and watched Tom Brady win the Super Bowl without him.
To rub salt in the wound, Brady had Gronk and AB (both former Patriots) with him.
Also, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers had an awesome defense.
There were no perceived holes in the roster.
Belichick didn’t get where he is by not being prideful and a man of action.
Besides, the Patriots are not known for their drafting prowess (with the exception of that 6th rounder named Brady in 2000).
Is Belichick In A Hurry To Win?
Trying to read Bill Belichick is about as easy as predicting the winning lottery numbers.
Some are wondering if he wants to win fast because retirement is on the horizon.
Belichick turns 69 in April so maybe that could be true.
Or more likely he just wants to win another one.
Will The Patriots Win?
No one knows the answer to that question either.
Though they do not draft well, it makes sense they will be looking for a quarterback in late April at the 2021 NFL Draft.
Re-signing Cam Newton after a very topsy-turvy 2020 performance was a bit of a surprise.
However, Belichick always has something up his sleeve.
He could be finalizing deals with more free agents; the spending spree may not be over yet.
The Patriots are not looking to repeat their 7-9 record and third place finish in a division they usually win handily.
This is just one of the many interesting storylines to watch in the 2021 season.
NEXT: Report: Patriots Still Showing Interest In Jimmy Garoppolo
