New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick kept some of his answers short and sweet during his meeting with reporters Tuesday at the NFL Annual Meeting. In a 43-minute long meeting, Belichick addressed some of the concerns about his team, with the departure of several players, to free agency, as well as some of his assistant coaches, and then there was the retirement of tight end Rob Gronkowski.
When asked about the possibility that the Patriots might lose kicker Stephen Gostkowski, Belichick replied: “it’s March." Belichick replied with the same words when asked about the depth chart of his receiving corps.
The Patriots currently have Julian Edelman, Phillip Dorsett, Matthew Slater, Braxton Berrios, Damoun Patterson. The team beefed up its depth chart by signing wideouts Bruce Ellington and Maurice Harris from the free agent market.
Belichick also uttered the same answer when asked about how he would find a replacement for Gronkowski at tight end and the status of quarterback Tom Brady’s contract extension. The Patriots can find a replacement for Gronkowski either from the free agent pool or the 2019 NFL Draft. Gronkowski’s retirement has increased the Patriots’ salary cap room to $17 million, which they can use to sign free agents to fill their needs in order to defend their Super Bowl trophy.
Belichick discusses Josh Gordon
During his meeting with the media, Belichick also briefly discussed the situation involving suspended wide receiver Josh Gordon, whom they acquired from the Cleveland Browns in September. “Yeah, I don’t know. His status isn’t under our control,” Belichick said when asked if Gordon is part of the Patriots’ plan for next season.
Gordon played 12 games last season, 11 with the Patriots, after he was reinstated. The move paid dividends for the Patriots as Gordon caught 40 passes for 720 yards and three touchdowns before he was suspended indefinitely for substance abuse. Despite the suspension, the Patriots placed an original-round restricted free agent tender on Gordon for the 2019 season.
The tender guarantee would give Gordon a salary of $2.025 million if he signs with the Patriots. If he decides to sign with another team, the Patriots would receive that team’s third-round pick.
Patriots, Brady not discussing contract extension
Last season, Brady earned $22 million, but he missed on the bonuses after failing to meet the performance ceiling. This season, Brady is set to earn $27 million before he turns free agent in 2020. The Patriots are expected to sign Brady to a contract extension, but Tom Curran of NBC Sports Boston reported that “all is quiet on the Tom Brady contract front”.
The Patriots could create additional salary cap room if they sign the 42-year-old Brady to an extension, which could come before the start of training camp in July.