Are the Patriots a Suitable Fit for Signing a Free Agent Quarterback?
As a new chapter in New England Patriots football unfolds with Jerod Mayo taking over the coaching reins from the legendary Bill Belichick, attention is shifting towards roster construction. A significant area of focus is expected to be the quarterback position. While there is anticipation that the Patriots may use their No. 3 overall pick to secure their next franchise quarterback, there remains the possibility of exploring veteran options.
One potential candidate in this regard is the current Tennessee Titans quarterback, Ryan Tannehill. Despite the Patriots not choosing his former coach Mike Vrabel as Belichick’s successor, Tannehill is considered a “scheme fit.”
According to Bleacher Report’s Ryan Fowler, the Patriots might opt for a new face of the franchise with their high draft pick. However, if they decide to go the veteran route and view Tannehill as an experienced player with spot-start ability, it could be a favorable landing spot.
With a projected cap space of over $67 million for the upcoming offseason, as reported by OvertheCap, the Patriots have the financial flexibility to acquire a quarterback through free agency. The question, however, is whether Tannehill is the optimal choice.
For potential starting options, the Patriots could explore the free agency class, which may include established signal-callers like Kirk Cousins from the Minnesota Vikings and Baker Mayfield from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Nevertheless, if the Patriots are seeking a mentor and backup for their new franchise quarterback, Tannehill could fulfill a role similar to the one he played for Titans rookie Will Levis in the past season. Despite making only eight starts this season and not being the Titans’ initial choice, Tannehill accumulated 1,616 passing yards, four touchdowns, and seven interceptions.
While the prevailing expectation is that the Patriots will use their high draft pick to secure their next quarterback, the idea of bringing in a veteran like Tannehill, even in a backup capacity, is not without merit.
