The Patriots raised eyebrows last week when they extended two veteran players amid ongoing rumors connecting them to star receiver DeAndre Hopkins and other big-name free agents.
On the one hand, the Patriots creating slightly more wiggle room on the 2023 cap would allow them to absorb a short-term DeAndre Hopkins contract while keeping needed flexibility to sign their top two draft picks and handle expenditures for the 2023 season. New England can afford Hopkins regardless, especially on a multi-year deal, but in theory, this makes it a tad easier.
We won't completely brush off your eyeball emojis, but the Patriots agreeing to extensions with wide receiver DeVante Parker and linebacker Ja'Whaun Bentley isn't directly related to their pursuit of Hopkins.