Jarrett Stidham
FILE - New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, left, talks to head coach Bill Belichick as their team warms up before an NFL football game against the New York Jets in East Rutherford, N.J., in this Monday, Oct. 21, 2019, file photo. Belichick never was one to spent wildly in free agency. But after watching Tom Brady celebrate another Super Bowl in another city, Belichick and his boss, Robert Kraft, had seen enough. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger, File)
Kraft: Spending spree response to 7-9 record, not Brady win

By Jimmy Golen Mar. 31, 2021 06:06 PM EDT

FILE - San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Kendrick Bourne (84) pulls in a catch during the first half of an NFL football game against the Washington Football Team in Glendale, Ariz., in this Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020, file photo. The Patriots have agreed to terms on a new three-year, $22.5 million contract with free agent receiver Kendrick Bourne. His agent, Henry Organ of Disruptive Sports, says the new deal is for three years and could be worth as much as $22.5 million. New contracts can't officially be signed until the new league year begins on Wednesday, March 17, 2021.(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)
Energy already high among new additions to Patriots' roster

By Kyle Hightower Mar. 22, 2021 05:57 PM EDT

New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, right, instructs defensive lineman Chase Winovich, center, as inside linebackers coach Jerod Mayo, second from left, instructs defensive end John Simon, left, on the sideline in the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
Patriots look toward future after regressing post-Brady exit

By Kyle Hightower Jan. 04, 2021 04:30 PM EST

New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton carries the ball against the New York Jets in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New York Jets at New England Patriots 1/3/2021

Jan. 03, 2021 01:14 PM EST

New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, right, coaches defenders John Simon, left, Terez Hall, center, and Josh Uche on the sideline during the first half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Monday, Dec. 28, 2020, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
Offseason changes on tap as Jets, Patriots meet in finale

By Kyle Hightower Dec. 31, 2020 04:19 PM EST

New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton stands on the sideline in the second half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Monday, Dec. 28, 2020, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
Questions about future surround Patriots after blowout loss

By Kyle Hightower Dec. 29, 2020 04:07 PM EST

New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton stands on the sideline in the second half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Monday, Dec. 28, 2020, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
Newton's future with Pats in spotlight after blowout loss

By Kyle Hightower Dec. 29, 2020 01:18 AM EST

Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Quinton Jefferson, right, sacks New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton (1) in the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 28, 2020, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
Bills earn 1st sweep of Patriots since '99 with 38-9 win

By Kyle Hightower Dec. 28, 2020 11:20 PM EST

Cutout photos of people, including first responders and healthcare workers, sit in seats in Gillette Stadium before an NFL football game between the New England Patriots and the Buffalo Bills, Monday, Dec. 28, 2020, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots 12/28/2020

Dec. 28, 2020 05:46 PM EST

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Now it's Bills with seed on the line against Patriots

By Jimmy Golen Dec. 24, 2020 01:32 PM EST

And the winner in Brady-Belichick divorce is: the QB

By Jimmy Golen Dec. 21, 2020 06:19 PM EST
It’s time to declare a winner in the divorce between Bill Belichick and Tom Brady, the coach and quarterback who combined to lead the New England Patriots to...

Los Angeles Rams outside linebacker Kenny Young (41) celebrates with defensive end Aaron Donald (99) after intercepting a pass and running for a touchdown against the New England Patriots in the first half of an NFL football game in Inglewood, Calif., Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020. (Keith Birmingham/The Orange County Register via AP)
Akers' breakout game on ground bodes well for Rams' future

By Greg Beacham Dec. 11, 2020 03:51 PM EST

New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton (1) runs off the field next to Jake Bailey (7) after a loss to the Los Angeles Rams during an NFL football game Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
With playoffs unlikely, fading Patriots have questions at QB

By Kyle Hightower Dec. 11, 2020 03:36 PM EST

New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick walks on the field during a break in action during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Belichick not ready to move on from Newton as Patriots' QB

By Joe Reedy Dec. 11, 2020 01:06 AM EST

Los Angeles Rams defensive end Michael Brockers (90) celebrates after sacking New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton during the second half of an NFL football game Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis )
Akers runs wild, Newton benched as Rams rout Patriots 24-3

By Greg Beacham Dec. 10, 2020 11:21 PM EST

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, left, stands next to quarterback Cam Newton before an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
New England Patriots at Los Angeles Rams 12/10/2020

Dec. 10, 2020 08:40 PM EST

New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, center left, shakes hands with Los Angeles Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn at the end of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)
Newton, special teams lead Patriots to 45-0 rout of Chargers

By Joe Reedy Dec. 06, 2020 07:55 PM EST

FILE - In this Nov. 9, 2020, file photo, New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton (1) gestures at the line of scrimmage during an NFL football game against the New York Jets in East Rutherford, N.J. The college quarterbacks class is shaping up nicely, just in time to perhaps rescue some NFL teams from themselves. Those guys salivating about such prospects work in the personnel departments of the Jets, Jaguars and Bears. Maybe for the Lions, Patriots, Falcons, Saints and 49ers. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger, File)
On Football: NFL QB quandaries from coast to coast

By Barry Wilner Nov. 27, 2020 01:24 PM EST

Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones (95) pressures as New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold (14) fights out of Jones' grasp in the second half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Patriots, Jets face big-time QB questions beyond this season

By Dennis Waszak Jr. Nov. 08, 2020 03:40 PM EST

New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and head coach Bill Belichick leave the field after an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Latest loss reveals just how deep Patriots' problems run

By Kyle Hightower Oct. 26, 2020 04:38 PM EDT