NFL Rumors: How Patriots Were ‘Taken Aback’ Last Offseason

Robert Kraft and the Patriots probably got pretty used to being on easy street in the NFL offseason.

For two decades, New England had a pair of marquee selling points that few other teams could offer: the opportunity to play alongside the greatest QB who ever lived and an excellent chance of making a long playoff run. Those factors alone often led to players taking discounts to call Foxboro, Mass. home.

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The Patriots haven’t had those luxuries for years now, but they still were expected to be a major player in free agency last offseason when they were flush with salary cap space. However, even lucrative long-term offers weren’t enough to sway some of the NFL’s biggest names to New England.

Those swings and misses apparently took the Patriots by surprise.

“According to multiple sources, the Patriots were taken aback by how many players didn’t want to come to New England — even if there was more money on the table,” MassLive’s Mark Daniels wrote in a column published Tuesday. “The Patriots’ goal last year was to sign receiver Calvin Ridley and defensive tackle Christian Wilkins. They were also turned down later in the summer by receiver Brandon Aiyuk. Top free-agent tackle Tyron Smith also didn’t want to come to New England.”

Fortunately for the Foxboro Faithful, the Patriots probably won’t experience the exact same fate this time around. Daniels’ sources believe New England will be “aggressive” this spring and will have more success in free agency/trades thanks in large part to Mike Vrabel and Drake Maye.

The Patriots still have a lot of work to do before they can become a premier destination again. But after being stuck in the mud for years, New England finally seems to be taking steps forward.