Tricky questions loom
Contract issues on horizon
With more than a dozen Patriot players in the final year of deals, the postseason is an interesting time for those who remain active on the roster. Longtime kicker Stephen Gostkowski could be playing his final game as a Patriot today against the Chargers. It’s also possible Trey Flowers and Trent Brown will continue to enhance their stock to the point they outprice the Patriots. Speaking with Brown Thursday, the team’s starting left tackle indicated he wouldn’t mind remaining in Foxboro. The mammoth 6-foot-8, 380-pound lineman said he’s come to love New England, the fans, the community and Dante Scarnecchia. He’s learned so much from the Patriots offensive line guru. He enjoys playing for Scarnecchia and has thrived under his tutelage. “He’s the best coach I’ve had, hands down,” said Brown. “He coaches us hard, he loves on us, it reminds me of my dad a lot. I appreciate the guy so much. He cares about every guy in the room.” Brown, who arrived in a draft day trade from the 49ers, has also forged a special bond with his linemates. They’ve developed a nice chemistry. “It’s definitely a fun group,” he said. “The cohesiveness, I love the camaraderie. It definitely carries over (into the game). Like I’ve been saying since I got here, every guy in this group, every guy on this team has been helpful to me since I got traded here. Nobody has been less than a good friend … it’s like we’re brothers.” Dependable left tackles make big money on the open market. Former Patriot Nate Solder cashed in with a fouryear, $62 million deal from the Giants last year. It’s tough imagining the Patriots being willing to overpay Brown with rookie firstround pick Isaiah Wynn waiting in the wings. “I can’t predict the future,” said Brown, “but if they’ll have me back here, and everything works out, I’d love to be back.” His price tag just might dictate otherwise. Here are the players with contract situations that the team will have to address this season: Trey Flowers: The defensive lineman recently told Jeff Howe of the Athletic something pretty interesting with regard to being in a contract year and not having it affect him. He claimed he wasn’t in it for the money. “Being successful, winning, putting my team in a position to win, that’s my motivation. Whatever comes with it, as far as money and things like that, that’s cool. But I’ve been one particular way my whole life. I just play the game because I love it,” Flowers told Howe. “I play the game because I want to win. I’m good at it, I think, so I just keep trying to get better, keep trying to put my team in position to win. All that other stuff — the contract, the money — it never motivated me. This is how I’ve always been, and it’s how I’m going to be.” Does that mean he’ll settle for less? The Patriots didn’t pay Chandler Jones. Flowers turns 26 in August, right before the 2019 season starts. If anyone is thinking franchise tag, this year’s tag for defensive ends was $17,143,000. If he’s looking to hit his highest earning end, it’s doubtful he’ll be back. Olivier Vernon’s average $17 million per year. Maybe something in the neighborhood of $14 million might be reasonable, but it would jump him over Stephon Gilmore ($13 average per year). Trent Brown: This could be Brown’s only opportunity to make big money. He’s 26 and given how well he played during the season, and might further impress with a good playoff performance, he could really cash in. He might not get Solder money, but he might get up near $10 million per season. If he takes less to stay, someone else on the O-line might have to go. Marcus Cannon? Joe Thuney? It’s all food for thought. Stephen Gostkowski: The Patriots kicker is in the final year of the four-year, $17.2 million deal he signed in July 2015. The last time Gostkowski was a free agent he was given the franchise tag to buy the team and player a little more time to reach a deal. The move wasn’t unprecedented. They also went that route with exkicker Adam Vinatieri (2002), Vince Wilfork (2010) and Logan Mankins (2011) before reaching deals. Gostkowski turns 35 at the end of the month. Chris Hogan: He hasn’t had the type of season he had hoped for in a contract year and that’s been frustrating for him. Receivers are making good money in free agency. Hogan has been invisible in the offense at times. He was also unable to step up during Julian Edelman’s absence early in the year. There have also been times when he’s gotten open and Brady has looked in another direction. Phillip Dorsett: He came to New England from the Colts in exchange for quarterback Jacoby Brissett prior to the 2017 season. He didn’t do much that year, and has only produced in spurts. This season, he took a back seat when the Patriots acquired Josh Gordon. Bill Belichick is a fan of Dorsett, as is Tom Brady. Speaking with Dorsett Thursday, he loves the challenge of being a Patriot and playing in Foxboro. “I would like to stay. This team is different,” he said. “Obviously, me being somewhere else, I don’t want to compare it too much, but the whole vibe is different because everyone has the same mindset. You want to win . . . it’s not for everybody. It’s definitely not for everybody. It’s hard, it’s really hard. You work really hard on and off the field. But I like that.” Jason McCourty: He’s finally getting his first taste of action in the postseason. The veteran, playing with his twin brother Devin for the first time, has helped the Patriots secondary whether playing opposite Stephon Gilmore out on the boundary, or inside as as the slot corner. He’s been versatile and has been a leader in the room, helping the younger players. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see him return. Cordarrelle Patterson: It’s not a stretch to say the Patriots have done their best to get the most out of Patterson. They haven’t just been content to have him as a returner. Whether they want him back is another story. They need to retool their receiving corps. Malcom Brown: He was a first-round pick (32nd overall) in the 2015 draft. Safety Patrick Chung went to bat for him last week. But for the most part, he’s been a disappointment. It’s doubtful he’ll be re-signed. Ryan Allen: He beat out competition (Corey Bojorquez) brought in during training camp. Bojorquez had a stronger leg, but Allen was a far better situational kicker. He’s been with the Pats six seasons, and remains good with the finer details. He’d love to stay, but understands the business. “There’s a culture here that pushes progress. I appreciate that,” Allen said Friday. “I have nothing but positive feelings about my time here, working with Joe (Cardona) and Steve (Gostkowski) . . . but it’s unrealistic to believe you can stay at the same place your entire career.” Jonathan Jones: He’s a restricted free agent, so it’s not likely he’s going anywhere. The Patriots will place a high enough qualifying offer on the cornerback to be able to keep him around. Eric Rowe: The cornerback was put on injured reserve in October with a recurring groin injury. With the emergence of rookie J.C. Jackson, and also having Keion Crossen and Duke Dawson also entering their second seasons, to go with Stephon Gilmore, it’s hard to believe Rowe will be back. LaAdrian Waddle: The offensive lineman has performed well as their reserve swing tackle. He has started for Cannon at right tackle a number of times since he’s been with the Patriots and has played on the left side in a pinch. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see him return. Albert McClellan: The Ravens cut him, but their loss has been the Patriots’ gain as the veteran has bolstered the special teams units. He quickly became a core special teamer and a difference maker. Perhaps they’d bring the 32-year-old back at the veteran minimum. Ramon Humber: Like McClellan, the Pats picked up Humber, a former Bill, midway through the year to help the special teams. He has also played on all the units. He’s 31, a linebacker, and might also return. Jeremy Hill: The former Bengals running back looked like a promising free agent pickup for the Patriots after an impressive preseason, as he took a starter’s job from Mike Gillislee. He was in the backfield with Rex Burkhead and James White, but tore his ACL the first week against the Texans. Probably a longshot to return. Ulrick John: The 26-yearold offensive lineman was placed on injured reserve in September. He was the seventh-round pick of the Colts in 2014, signed as a free agent last year by the Patriots. Brian Schwenke: The 27year-old offensive lineman, a fourth-round pick by the Tennessee Titans in 2013, was put on injured reserve in November with a foot injury. He was signed as a free agent last year. There’s no rush to sign either John or Schwenke.