FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Quick-hit thoughts and notes around the New England Patriots and NFL:
1. Culture first: Last year at this time, it was all about the cash for the Patriots. They guaranteed more money in free agency than any team in history.
This year, the primary theme of the team's free-agent activity projects to be more about culture.
Two pillars of what it means to be a Patriot -- Devin McCourty (34) and Matthew Slater (36) -- are among those scheduled to be free agents. While closer to the end of their careers, they have decided to play in 2022, according to sources.