The New England Patriots are going to look a lot different in 2024 than they have in a long time. Head coach Bill Belichick was relieved of his duties this offseason, and replaced by his defensive coordinator, Jerod Mayo.
It will take some time to get used to seeing a different person leading the Patriots on the sidelines as Belichick was the head coach for 24 seasons. Filling his shoes will not be easy, as Mayo has a tall task ahead of him.
A lot of people will be keeping an eye on what the Patriots do at the quarterback position, as they hold the No. 3 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. It would be a surprise if Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe were back, as that duo struggled mightily last season.
NFL News & Rumors: Chris Godwin, Jonathan Jones, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New England Patriots Updates
While a quarterback is the most important thing for New England to find, it is far from the only need on the roster. Jones and Zappe’s production was poor, but they didn’t have much to work with when it came to skill position players surrounding them.
If the Patriots want to get their offense on track, they need to make an upgrade at wide receiver. Their No. 1 receiver during the 2023 season was rookie Pop Douglas, who has limitations being listed at only 5’8”.
Looking for some help this offseason, Kris Knox of Bleacher Report has suggested the Patriots make a deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In the hypothetical deal he would love to see, Chris Godwin heads to New England in exchange for a 2025 first-round pick and cornerback Jonathan Jones.
This is an interesting deal for both teams. Tampa Bay has made it clear they won’t be paying Mike Evans and Godwin, so dealing Godwin would clear the path to retaining Evans, who is set to hit free agency.
An extra 2025 first-round pick would put the Buccaneers in a position to make a move for a quarterback should they not be able to retain Baker Mayfield long-term. With an expensive, aging defense, Jones provides the team some depth in the secondary at cornerback as well.
NFL News & Rumors: Chris Godwin, Jonathan Jones, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New England Patriots Updates
For the Patriots, they would not have a reliable, go-to No. 1 receiver for whoever is playing quarterback in 2024. Godwin has surpassed the 1,000-yard mark in three straight seasons and four out of the last five; his only miss was when he was injured in 2020 and played only 12 games.
New England hasn’t had a 1,000-yard receiver since Tom Brady left, with Julian Edelman in 2019 being the last person to reach that plateau. Godwin would help them turn this passing offense around immediately.
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