Report: Patriots Likely To Decline Sony Michel Fifth-Year Option

Sony Michel will probably have to look for another home in the NFL as the New England Patriots may decline his fifth-year option. That’s what recent reports suggest.

The Patriots picked two players in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Just one of them will get a fifth-year option.

New England exercised left tackle Isaiah Wynn’s option and guaranteed his salary for the next two years. Ian Rapoport from NFL Media reported that the Patriots will probably decline Michel’s salary.

The 32nd overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft is entering the final year of his rookie contract. Michel will become a free agent next spring. His talent will bring him a lot of suitors, and that’s a good sign for the running back.

Sony Michel has another option

Michel was amazing in 2020. It was one of the best seasons in his career. However, he suffered injuries and spent some time on the reserve/COVID-19 list. The talented player had to miss seven games. In his absence, Damien Harris took over lead back duties. Harris will probably keep the same role this summer.

The Georgia product was averaging 5.7 yards per carry in limited action in 2020. That’s an increase from 4.5 in his rookie campaign in 2018. In his sophomore season, the player averaged 43.7 yards per carry. Michel was great late in the season after Harris sustained a season-ending injury.

Michel was great in December, but the Patriots may not pick up his fifth-year option. This move would have guaranteed him a salary of $4.5 million in 2022. Head coach Bill Belichick wouldn’t pay that much for someone who struggled to stay healthy in his short career.

The Patriots used a fourth-round pick on Oklahoma prospect Rhamondre Stevenson. This added another black dot on Michel’s future with the team. The Patriots have a nice running back group. Harris, Michel Stevenson, James White, Brandon Bolden, and J.J. Taylor found their names on the list.

Belichick will make the best decision for the team. Michel may not fit in his latest formula so he will probably go somewhere else.