13 March 2024 , 06:30
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New England Patriots' new head coach Jerod Mayo might not start his tenure with a big free-agent signing. The Patriots are keen on Calvin Ridley, the best free-agent wide receiver still available.
Ridley, who led the Jacksonville Jaguars in receiving yards and touchdowns last season, is reportedly choosing between New England and Jacksonville. However, ESPN suggests that Ridley prefers to stay in Jacksonville.
Meanwhile, the Jaguars have already agreed to sign wide receiver Gabe Davis to a three-year deal, just in case Ridley signs elsewhere.
During a press conference in January, Mayo said the Patriots would be "ready to burn some cash." But he later said that New England would spend their money wisely.
They want players who will help them win for a long time, not just now. The Patriots had a lot of money to spend when the time came to talk to players. But they have mostly kept their own good players instead of getting new stars.
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They put a special tag on safety Kyle Dugger because they want to make a deal with him for more years. When they could start signing people, they agreed to keep lineman Michael Onwenu for three years and $57 million. They also kept wide receivers Kendrick Bourne and Jalen Reagor, and tight end Hunter Henry.
The Patriots have expressed heavy interest in wide receiver Calvin Ridley (Courtney Culbreath/Getty Images)The Patriots did sign some new players, but most of them are to make the team stronger, not stars. They made a deal with Jacoby Brissett and plan to sign him for one year and $8 million. Instead of getting a famous running back, they chose Antonio Gibson and agreed to pay him $11.25 million over three years.
Both Brissett and Gibson are expected to make a difference in 2024, but it's not clear how big their roles will be. The Patriots are almost certain to pick a quarterback with the No.3 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft and they already have a top running back in Rhamondre Stevenson.
Still, signing Ridley would be the cherry on top of what's been a great first offseason for Mayo.