Patriots 2019: What’s next for Brady, Gronk?
The New England Patriots have been the most consistent team of the past two decades and just wrapped up their ninth trip to a Super Bowl in the Bill BelichickTom Brady era. But even with many key figures in the organization advancing in age, they face several key uncertainties.
Here are the five biggest questions awaiting the Patriots this offseason:
1. What will happen with Brady’s contract?
The best bargain in sports, Brady will be entering the final season of his contract in 2019. Patriots owner Robert Kraft said last week that he “would be quite surprised if (Brady) didn’t continue for quite a while” as the Patriots’ passer. Still, he will be 42 at the start of next season.
2. What’s the succession plan QB?
With Jimmy Garoppolo, the Patriots appeared to have their heir selected and in the process of being groomed, but New England dealt him to the 49ers in the middle of last year. The only other passer on the roster is Brian Hoyer, a 33year-old journeyman also entering the final season of his contract. It could be a wise move for the Patriots to devote some of their draft capital to target a potential eventual replacement or even look into free agency for a low-cost option.
3. Is
Gronk?
All throughout the week leading up to Super Bowl LIII, tight end Rob Gronkowski said he wasn’t sure if this would be his last season in the NFL. After the Patriots’ Super Bowl loss last year, he said he needed some time to think about his future. Gronkowski, who would be 30 by the time next season rolls around, has taken a beating and has a long injury history. If he retires, however, he will go down as one of the greatest tight ends to have ever played the game. His departure would leave a massive hole in New England’s offense.
4. How will New England adapt with yet another coordinator leaving? this the last we’ve seen at of
One problem that comes with being so successful in the NFL is that other teams are always poaching assistant coaches for vacant head coaching roles. For the second season in a row, a team appears set to take New England’s top defensive assistant coach, as Brian Flores is expected to accept the head coaching vacancy with the division-rival Dolphins. The Pats typically like to promote from within to fill coordinator jobs, as they did last year when Flores essentially took over for Matt Patricia.
5. What is Josh Gordon’s future in New England?
When he joined the Patriots after a trade from the Browns, Gordon quickly developed a solid rapport with Brady and injected some play-making ability into the offense. But the wide receiver is currently in treatment after he was suspended indefinitely in December for a violation of his reinstatement terms under the NFL’s substance abuse policy. He has bigger things to handle before mounting a return, but Gordon remains athletic and talented and turns 28 in April. He’s currently on the commissioner’s exempt list and is set to be a restricted free agent.