Bill Belichick
FILE - In this Nov. 8, 2007, file photo, Pro Football Hall of Fame coach Don Shula laughs during an interview at his home in Indian Creek, Fla. Shula, who won the most games of any NFL coach and led the Miami Dolphins to the only perfect season in league history, died Monday, May 4, 2020, at his home in Indian Creek, Fla., the team said. He was 90. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File)
Shula remembered by peers for "playing within the rules"

By Steven Wine May. 04, 2020 04:36 PM EDT

FILE - In this Jan. 13, 2020, file photo, LSU quarterback Joe Burrow throws a pass against Clemson during the second half of the NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game in New Orleans. No. 1 overall pick Burrow and the rest of the rookie class will begin preparing for their first seasons in the NFL at home instead of at minicamps and team facilities this month. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, File)
Virtual offseason impacts rookies, teams preparing for 2020

By Josh Dubow May. 01, 2020 12:47 PM EDT

FILE - In this Aug. 15, 2019, file photo, Philadelphia Eagles head coach Doug Pederson watches from the sideline during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Jacksonville, Fla. Pederson enters his fifth season with a Super Bowl victory, two NFC East crowns and three straight playoff appearances on his resume. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)
NFC East has a new look but success may be slow to achieve

By Rob Maaddi Apr. 30, 2020 02:51 PM EDT

FILE - In this Oct. 5, 2019, file photo, Iowa defensive end A.J. Epenesa (94) plays against Michigan during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich. Buffalo’s first two draft selections _ Iowa defensive end A.J. Epenesa and Utah running back Zack Moss _ have an opportunity to contribute immediately in complementary roles. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)
Big changes in AFC East, but Belichick the constant for Pats

By Dennis Waszak Jr. Apr. 30, 2020 01:32 PM EDT

FILE - In this Sept. 8, 2019, file photo, New England Patriots fullback James Develin look for a defender to block in the second half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Foxborough, Mass. Develin said in an Instagram message Monday, April 27, 2020, that he is retiring from the NFL because of complications from the neck injury that caused him to miss the final 14 games of the 2019 season. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola, File)
Pats FB Develin retiring because of neck injury

By Kyle Hightower Apr. 27, 2020 03:26 PM EDT

In a photo provided by ESPN Images, Rece Davis, left, and Jesse Palmer discuss the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 23, 2020, in Bristol, Conn. (Allen Kee/ESPN Images via AP)
NFL draft averages record 8.4M viewers across 3 days

By Joe Reedy Apr. 26, 2020 05:36 PM EDT

FILE - In this Oct. 26, 2019, file photo, Marshall kicker Justin Rohrwasser (16) hits a 53-yard game winning field goal against Western Kentucky during an NCAA college football game in Huntington, W.Va. New Patriots kicker Justin Rohrwasser says a tattoo on his arm is not representative of a loosely organized right-wing militia group that has adopted the symbol. Rohrwasser, who played at Rhode Island and Marshall, was taken 159th overall in the fifth round of the draft Saturday, April 25, 2020. (Sholten Singer/The Herald-Dispatch via AP, File)
Patriots don't draft QB, but address several other needs

By Kyle Hightower Apr. 25, 2020 09:42 PM EDT

Lenoir-Rhyne defensive back Kyle Dugger speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Pats select safety Dugger, Michigan LB Uche in busy Day 2

By Kyle Hightower Apr. 24, 2020 08:34 PM EDT

FILE - In this Jan. 1, 2020, file photo, Alabama defensive back Xavier McKinney (15) breaks up a pass intended for Michigan tight end Nick Eubanks during the first half of the Citrus Bowl NCAA college football game in Orlando, Fla. McKinney was chosen by the New York Giants in the second round of the NFL football draft Friday, April 24, 2020. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File)
Pitch and catch: Round 2 of NFL draft heavy on receivers

By Barry Wilner Apr. 24, 2020 07:55 PM EDT

FILE - In this Dec. 21, 2019, file photo, New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick speaks to the media following an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills in Foxborough, Mass. The NFL Draft is April 23-25, 2020. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola, File)
Patriots trade out of 1st round, could make 5 picks on Day 2

By Kyle Hightower Apr. 24, 2020 12:56 AM EDT

FILE - In this Feb. 28, 2019, file photo, Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis. Beane made a bold move in the offseason by giving up four draft picks _ including the 22nd overall _ to acquire Stefon Diggs in a trade with the Minnesota Vikings. The Bills are left with seven picks over the final six rounds, starting with No. 54. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)
Beane dismisses buzz of Bills being AFC East front-runners

By John Wawrow Apr. 24, 2020 12:21 AM EDT

FILE - In this Nov. 13, 2016, file photo, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) and tight end Rob Gronkowski head to the sideline during the team's NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks in Foxborough, Mass. Gronkowski has agreed to a reunion with Brady. The agent for the retired New England star confirmed Tuesday, April 21, 2020, that pending completion of a physical, Gronkowski has agreed to play for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who are acquiring his rights from the Patriots. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)
Gronk says he's healthy and fire burns to play with Brady

By Fred Goodall Apr. 22, 2020 06:35 PM EDT

FILE - In this Dec. 9, 2019, file photo, then-Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora speaks during the Major League Baseball winter meetings in San Diego. The Boston Red Sox were stripped of their second-round pick in this year’s amateur draft by Major League Baseball for breaking video rules in 2018 and former manager Alex Cora was suspended through the 2020 postseason for his conduct as bench coach with the Houston Astros the previous year. Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred announced his decision Wednesday, April 22, 2020, concluding Red Sox replay system operator J.T. Watkins used in-game video to revise sign sequences provided to players. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull, File)
Red Sox stripped of pick, Cora banned in sign stealing scams

By Ronald Blum And Jimmy Golen Apr. 22, 2020 05:02 PM EDT

FILE - In this Sept. 30, 2001 file photo, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) passes during Brady's first start of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts in Foxborough, Mass. Six quarterbacks were taken ahead of the future first-ballot Hall of Famer Brady in 2000 before the Patriots selected him 199th overall in the sixth round of the NFL draft, forever altering the course of their franchise’s history. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson, File)
Patriots' draft history features many hits, a few misses

By Kyle Hightower Apr. 21, 2020 05:22 PM EDT

FILE - In this April 27, 2019, file photo, fans attend the final day of the NFL football draft in Nashville, Tenn. In a memo sent to the 32 teams Monday and obtained by The Associated Press, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell outlined procedures for the April 23-25 draft. The guidelines include no group gatherings. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)
Column: Direct from Roger Goodell's basement, the NFL draft!

By Tim Dahlberg Apr. 21, 2020 01:38 PM EDT

FILE - In this Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020, file photo, Utah State quarterback Jordan Love works out at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis. For the first time in two decades the New England Patriots are preparing for the NFL draft without a clear picture of who their starting quarterback will be in 2020. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)
Loaded with picks, Pats could draft QB after Brady's exit

By Kyle Hightower Apr. 16, 2020 02:26 PM EDT

After Brady's exit, Patriots could go QB shopping in draft

By The Associated Press Apr. 15, 2020 10:46 AM EDT
23. PATRIOTS (12-5) LAST SEASON: After 8-0 start, Patriots lost three of final five games to end regular season, followed by home wild...

FILE - In this Jan. 10, 2015, file photo, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady holds up the game ball after an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Baltimore Ravens in Foxborough, Mass. Brady was selected to the 2010s NFL All-Decade Team announced Monday, April 6, 2020, by the NFL and the Pro Football Hall of Fame. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola, File)
Brady: It was 'just time' to leave Pats for new challenge

By Fred Goodall Apr. 08, 2020 12:06 PM EDT

FILE - In this Aug. 1, 2016, file photo, Baltimore Ravens guard Marshal Yanda, right, talks with quarterback Joe Flacco during practice at the NFL football teams training camp in Baltimore. Yanda was selected to the 2010s NFL All-Decade Team announced Monday, April 6, 2020, by the NFL and the Pro Football Hall of Fame. (AP Photo/Gail Burton, File)
8 unanimous picks for All-Decade Team include Brady, Watt

By Barry Wilner Apr. 06, 2020 12:42 PM EDT

FILE - In this Dec. 29, 2019, file photo, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady calls signals at the line of scrimmage against the Miami Dolphins in the first half of an NFL football game in Foxborough, Mass. The Dolphins signed seven potential starters, but none will help their chances of overtaking the New England Patriots in the AFC East as much as Tom Brady did by bolting from Boston for Tampa Bay. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)
QB quest new for Patriots, but familiar for AFC East foes

By Dennis Waszak Jr. Apr. 01, 2020 05:00 PM EDT