Report: Patriots Still Linked to Top Free-Agent Pass Rusher

August 20, 2020

The New England Patriots still have their eyes on a very good pass rusher ahead of the 2020 season. There has been a lot of shuffling around this off season for the Patriots. They are trying to get back on track after a fairly disappointing season last year. According to sources, a very popular pass rusher could be making his way to the Patriots.

The New England Patriots-Jadeveon Clowney stories continue to go around the NFL bubble before week 1. It might be the time to get it done or have it be too little too late at this point. This deal is far fetched but many people still think that it could happen. He is widely regarded as the best free agent still in the market this year.

View this post on Instagram

NFL.com's Ali Bhanpuri believes there is still some life left in the Jadeveon Clowney to New England Patriots concept. He wrote: "The Patriots could use major help along their front seven after seeing several of their most disruptive defenders exit in free agency (Jamie Collins, Kyle Van Noy, Danny Shelton) or opt out due to the coronavirus (Dont'a Hightower). Those four players ranked among the team's top six leaders in QB pressures last season, while Collins and Van Noy ranked first (22) and second (21) in hurries, according to Next Gen Stats. Clowney had more than both with 23. The three-time Pro Bowler also had a higher stuff percentage (6.3%) than any player on Bill Belichick's dominant 2019 unit. Although New England has been talking up third-year linebacker Ja'Whaun Bentley, asking a guy with 413 career snaps (per PFF) to fill the shoes of so many productive veterans is a lot, to say the least. Bringing in a player of Clowney's caliber on a team-friendly(ish) one-year deal — if he'd succumb to taking a bit less money — would alleviate some of that pressure, giving the Pats a versatile edge presence to team with second-year defensive end Chase Winovich and rookie outside linebacker Josh Uche. Clowney would get to play for one of the greatest defensive minds of all time before earning another shot to finally cash in. Would it really surprise anyone if the 2014 No. 1 overall pick becomes the next passed-over former first-rounder to land in New England?" #Patriots #NewEnglandPatriots #PatriotsNations #CamNewton #StephonGilmore #DevinMcCourty #JasonMcCourty #PatrickChung #BrandonBolden #LawrenceGuy #ChaseWinovich #JoshUche #KyleDugger #JoeThuney #JamesHarris #LamarMiller #JarrettStidham #AdamButler #DariusKilgo #DevinAsiasi #DaltonKeene #JulianEdelman #NKealHarry #MohamedSanu #DavidAndrews #BillBelichick #RobertKraft #AFCEast #AFC #NFL

A post shared by Pats Nation 365 (@pats_nation_365) on Aug 20, 2020 at 12:48am PDT

Could this really happen? Most people would tend to say no. Currently, New England is already getting some pretty good practice from rookie Josh Uche in practice. Most would agree that he will be filling in at linebacker at least some throughout the season. Chase Winovich is also looking to be a pass rusher.

Report: Patriots Still Linked to Top Free-Agent Pass Rusher

Another huge signing was Cam Newton, who some people love and some people hate. With that being said, Newton has made some waves in practice. Most around the team agree that he will be the starter this year, at least to start.

“He’s worked very hard, I’d say, as all of our players have,” Coach Belichick said. “I’d say that certainly for all the quarterbacks, at that position, those guys have been locked in, focused and confident in what they’re able to do and the information they have to give to the team — playcalling, adjustments, audibles, protection adjustments, things like that. That’s all going pretty well.”

He was also asked if a 2 quarterback system could work.

“It might,” Belichick replied. “I always say I’ll do what I think is best for the team, what gives us the best chance to win. Whatever that is, I would definitely consider it — run unbalanced line, double unbalanced line, 23 personnel. Whatever it is, if it helps us win, I would consider anything.”