The New England Patriots suffered another year with no play-off football in the 2022 NFL season, and will be looking to strengthen well ahead of the next campaign.
The Patriots have struggled ever since Tom Brady departed the franchise, but legendary coach Bill Belichick is determined to get them back to their best. The Patriots do have a bright future with a lot of youngsters set to blossom, but there is still a lot of work to be done.
Questions over Mac Jones continue, while they're in need of a new star wide receiver to give them a real boost. Here, Mirror NFL bring you the latest round-up of Patriots news, with trades in full flow across the league.
Matthew Slater returns for 16th season
Special teams star Matthew Slater has confirmed he will be returning for the 2023 season, amid fears he could retire from the NFL. Slater was drafted by the Patriots back in 2008, and established himself as a legend ever since.
Slater is a hugely popular figure on the field and behind the scenes at the Patriots, and his return will be a huge boost within the locker room. Owner Robert Kraft was as happy as anyone, and said in a statement on Friday: "I couldn’t be happier to learn that Matthew Slater has decided to return for his 16th season with the New England Patriots.
"Matthew’s drive to be the best at what he does will one day earn him enshrinement into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Yet, as stellar as his football career has been, he is an even better person."
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Patriots given DeAndre Hopkins boost
A wide receiver is thought to be the the priority for the Patriots this off-season, and they continue to be linked with Arizona Cardinals star DeAndre Hopkins. The Patriots have been linked with Hopkins for months, and rumours circled when the receiver was seen chatting to Belichick for some time on the sidelines.
The Patriots may have been handed a huge boost in their pursuit for Hopkins too, as CBS Sports contributor and former NFL agent Joel Corry has claimed the no-trade clause in his contract was voided. The Cardinals could consider moving Hopkins on due to his huge cap hit, while the Patriots have the means to negotiate.
They have the draft capital and assets in order to make a trade like this possible, and with Hopkins entering the last year of his deal, it's the best time for the Cardinals to cash in. They face losing Hopkins at the end of next season anyway, so could get as much draft compensation as possible this off-season.
Deebo Samuel 'not being traded'
Another star receiver that the Patriots have been linked with is Deebo Samuel, as the San Francisco 49ers will need to adjust their roster ahead of the 2023 season. However, it seems as though a potential move has already been shut down.
Rumours have been circling for a number of months, and Samuel would certainly bring firepower and versatility to the Patriots offense. But Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated has claimed that this potential trade is a 'non-starter'.
"I checked in with somebody who would absolutely know on this, and they said, ‘A) We’re not trading him and B) They haven’t called,'" Breer said. "So wherever this is, it hasn’t gotten to the Niners’ desks. This isn’t something that’s been on the table for them at all."
