NFL
By: Steve Atkinson
If we go back to after the season ended Robert Kraft wrote a letter to season ticket holders saying changes were coming. They then went out and signed Bill O’Brien to be the offensive coordinator and released a statement. Both those things were Robert Kraft’s moves. Now that free agency has started does Bill Belichick get to be the decision-maker on which players they sign?
On Monday the legal tampering began which meant teams can talk to other teams about players. The Patriots started by trading Jonnu Smith to the Falcons and resigned Jonathan Jones since Devin McCourty retired. Then Tuesday comes and Jakobi Meyers is going to the Raiders for 3 years and $11 million. It seemed on Tuesday Bill Belichick was setting up Mac Jones to fail for the second year in a row. First last year with Patricia and Judge and now this with not signing a number one receiver.
The Patriots signed two offensive lineman nobody has ever heard of. Calvin Anderson was on the Denver Broncos last year. He was with the Patriots in 2019 on the practice squad before they cut him. Bill Belichick also signed Riely Reiff Wednesday who has been in the league since 2012. He’s played for the Lions, Bears, and Bengals. Both sound like mediocre offensive linemen at best.
Then 3 pm came on Wednesday and the Patriots signed JuJu Smith-Schuster. He’s coming off a Super Bowl season with the Kansas City Chiefs had 933 yards 78 receptions and three touchdowns. The deal for Smith-Schuster was a lot like the deal the Raiders gave Jakobi. However, Smith-Schuster gets three years and $16 million guaranteed. Plus incentives that could get him the $33 million. Smith-Schuster has to work for the $33 million the Raiders just gave it to Jakobi guaranteed. Again, another example of Bill Belichick calling the shots and not Kraft.
Bill Belichick Paid Smith-Shuster But Not Jakobi Meyers
Cold world lol https://t.co/YtYqjrymUw
— Jakobi Meyers (@jkbmyrs5) March 15, 2023
Why not pay both Meyers and Smith-Schuster? Of course, Smith-Schuster is an upgrade over Jakobi but Meyers was one of Mac’s go-to receivers these last two seasons. Why didn’t Bill Belichick sign him? Was it because Meyers spoke out about the mess last season on offense and stuck up for his quarterback? Yes. Was it because Mac let it be known that he liked Meyers and was a great teammate and they hoped Bill Belichick would keep him? Yes. I do believe that Belichick because of his ego let Meyers go because he was close to Mac Jones, and he didn’t like that Meyers made his feeling public last year. I really don’t care what Belichick thinks though I think they should’ve signed Meyers too. Another example of Bill Belichick calling the shots when it comes to signing players.
Robert Kraft and Bill Belichick Are On The Same Page When It Comes To Money
I think Robert and Bill are on the same page when it comes to spending the less money as possible. Which is why they aren’t getting Lamar Jackson. Bill Belichick may want Lamar Jackson but he wants the DeShaun Watson contract which is at least $250 million guaranteed. Robert Kraft isn’t paying that and really neither is Belichick. Mac Jones is on a rookie deal and they probably love that after seeing what the market is for quarterbacks today. Get the thought if the Patriots getting Lamar Jackson out of your mouth because it isn’t happening. No matter what Bill Belichick wants Robert Kraft calls the shot on that one. Mac Jones is the quarterback for the 2023 season.
They need to add another wide receiver. Smith-Shuster isn’t good enough. I think they should trade for Jerry Jeudy or even sign OBJ. It did look like before the Smith-Shuster signing Bill Belichick was making sure his son who coach on the defensive side of the ball were set. They made sure to resign Jabrill Peppers and Myles Bryant. On the offensive side, there is still work to be done. Sign an O-Lineman, get another receiver, and sign another tight end.
