The New England Patriots entered the offseason with more cap space than any other team in the NFL, but they didn’t spend a ton.
According to Over the Cap, they still have $46.44 million, which is still the most in the league (the Washington Commanders have the second-most with $44.52 million).
While New England did make some moves, some were better than others.
The Sporting News’ Vinnie Iyer recently put together a list of each team’s worst move of the offseason, and for the Patriots, he listed the signing of offensive tackle Chukwuma Okorafor.
Here’s what Iyer had to say:
“The Patriots kept Mike Onwenu at right tackle but passed on re-signing Trent Brown, who landed with the Bengals. Now they’re looking at starting the shaky former Steeler Okorafor or rookie Caedan Wallace to protect rookie QB Drake Maye’s blind side.”
It’s more about what the move symbolizes than the actual signing of the player.
New England believes that flipping a right tackle who hasn’t played on the left side since college over seven years ago to protect their quarterbacks’ blindside is the way to go.
There were plenty of capable left tackles in free agency, on the trade market and in the draft, but this is the route the Patriots chose.
It’s one of the biggest problems and questions right now. The only other option for the worst move of their offseason would be not signing, trading for or drafting a true top wide receiver.
Both are poor decisions.
