After going below .500 for the first time in two decades, the sports world was readying the grave of the Patriots dynasty as their dominance has seemed to cease. After coach Belichick allowed Brady to leave in last year’s free agency, the GOAT went on to prove that he is still the best and that the team he played within the 2019 season (that he led to 12-4) was horrible. Leading Tampa Bay to their first Super Bowl since 2002, Brady has begun solidifying the argument that he was more valuable than Belichick to the Patriots dynasty… And after one year, he is proving himself to be a superior GM to Bill.

After going 7-9 this year, the Patriots had a large amount of cap space to spend on players; however, nobody expected Bill to do what he did this week. Bill usually will spend big money on one guy and then fill in other pieces at a discount, but that all went out the window beginning on Monday. And it reeks of desperation. 

To quickly recap, the Patriots spent more money on the first day of free agency on Monday than they had in any free agency period over the last ten years. According to reports, the Patriots spent $137.5 million in guaranteed dollars before free agency technically even begins (which will be last Wednesday evening).

Throughout Monday and Tuesday, the Patriots have reportedly agreed to terms with: Tennessee Titans tight end Jonnu Smith, San Diego Chargers tight end Hunter Henry, Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Matthew Judon, Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Davon Godchaux, and Philadelphia Eagles defensive back Jalen Mills, along with wide receivers Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne and defensive tackle Henry Anderson. This doesn’t even include the re-signing of Cam Newton to a one-year deal. 

And they may not be done yet. 

It has become clear that Belichick realizes just how much improvement is needed on this team in order to get back in playoff contention, especially considering last year’s rise of the Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins. It has also become clear that Bill Belichick (the GM) is becoming increasingly nervous about the optics about him as a team builder… Why do I say this? 

Bill doesn’t spend TONS of money, ever. Bill doesn’t make moves out of desperation, ever. He has done both over the last few days, and he overpaid for a couple of the players he signed, which is typical for free agency, to be fair. That being said, I think Belichick made a lot of solid moves that will revamp the defensive front, add depth to the defensive backfield, and give new life to the offense with two solid tight ends along with good speed on the outside with the wide receivers.

With Belichick spending big on free-agency, it is becoming evident that he is not willing to fade away from the league just yet with this spending frenzy. The Patriots were one of the few teams that could go to the mall this year and spend big money while most teams are looking to get under the salary cap, which decreased thanks to COVID, ugh.