more to come? Zolak Hints Patriots Haven’t Stopped Offense originally appeared nbc sports boston
The New England Patriots have already made several moves to improve their offense this offseason — and their work isn’t done.
allegedly patriotic agreed to a one-year contract worth up to $9 million With free-agent tight end Mike Gesicki on Friday, a day after adding wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster and running backs James Robinson.
But is New England eyeing an additional acquisition on offense? That’s what former Patriots quarterback and 98.5 The Sports Hub radio co-host Scott Zolak suggested Friday on “Zolak & Bertrand.”
“I was told today, this is the first domino to fall, and there are more to come,” Zolak said. “So, I think this is where they’re making their move.”
Perhaps the Patriots’ most important move of the offseason was the hiring of veteran offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien to replace 2022 offensive play-caller Matt Patricia, who oversaw a wasteful and inconsistent offense last season. Zolak said he believes O’Brien has influenced some of New England’s off-season signings to date, and to that point, Gesicki has a close relationship with O’Brien, who has actually Recruited the tight end at Penn State in 2013 when he was the Nittany Lions. ‘ head coach.
New Patriots TE Mike Gesicki and OC running back Bill O’Brien
So, what other steps can the Patriots take? While DeAndre Hopkins and Jerry Jeudy Released as potential business prospectsZolak brought in Houston Texans wide receiver Brandin Cook, who caught 81 passes for 1,150 yards and six touchdowns in 2020 with O’Brien, as his head coach.
Zolk glared at Cook obliviously but also flashed a sly smile when prodded by co-host Marc Bertrand.
Cooks has hit a $26.5 million cap hit with the Texans this season, so the Patriots will probably need to renegotiate his contract if they trade for him. But from a football perspective, the speedy 5-foot-10 wideout would be a fine complement to larger bodies like Smith-Schuster and Davante Parker.
There are still wide receivers on the free-agent market (Odell Beckham Jr., anyone?) if New England wants to go that route. But it looks like Zolk is asking us to stay tuned.
