FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The New England Patriots have lost four high-impact players in free agency, which makes 2018 a bit different for Bill Belichick and the team.
How different?
Belichick enters his 19th season in charge of the football operation and only two other years really come close to matching what has unfolded this year with starting left tackle Nate Solder (Giants), clutch wide receiver Danny Amendola (Dolphins), No. 1 running back/kickoff returner Dion Lewis (Titans) and Super Bowl XLIX hero Malcolm Butler (Titans) saying goodbye.
Most recently, the 2015 offseason had some similarities.