NFL Writer Dubs This Patriots Player As Team’s X-Factor For 2022 Season

The New England Patriots will rely on a strong roster heading into the 2022 NFL season. Head coach Bill Belichick got a bunch of talented players in the offseason and also gathered a great coaching staff. Mac Jones and his teammates will lead the team to a great win. They had a seven-game winning streak in 2021. Jones has to build a strong relationship with his new teammates. He already has a nice bond with his teammates. According to Ben Linsey, Jonnu Smith will be the team’s X-factor heading into the new season.

Belichick had great plans for Smith. The tight end earned bunch of money through his first deal with the team. However, he didn’t make an impact. In other words, Smith didn’t meet expectations. In 2021, Smith ran only 158 passing routes, ranking 52^nd among all tight ends in the league. Belichick wanted more than 28 passes for 294 yards and a touchdown.

“Last offseason, the Patriots offered tight end Jonnu Smith a four-year, $50 million contract with over $30 million guaranteed,” Linsey wrote. “Smith proceeded to run just 158 routes (52nd most at the tight end position) and post fewer receiving yards than Albert Okwuegbunam, Durham Smythe and Dan Arnold despite appearing in 16 games. That’s not the kind of return on investment that the Patriots were looking for, and they’ll be looking for more from Smith this season.”

Patriots expect more from their X-factor

Smith may be coming off of a bad season, but he will contribute in 2022. He can easily develop into a dominant force on the football field. The Patriots appreciate his true potential and his athleticism make him an irreplaceable player.

The tight end should get the best of the new opportunity and give his best to earn a better deal with the team. Maybe Belichick will keep him around for a few more seasons. Let’s see what happens in 2022. Smith may win a ring with the Patriots and that would be the cherry on top. He is a star tight end after all.