The Patriots face a pivotal offseason as they embark on their first season without either Tom Brady or Bill Belichick, which is why New England should think twice before going after retread options.
Kirk Cousins is expected to be one of the top names in the free-agent market. The veteran signal-caller enters the void years in his massive contract with the Minnesota Vikings, who, like the Patriots, have unknown intentions at quarterback.
On one hand, Cousins makes sense for New England. Mac Jones was volatile in his past two seasons under center, and everyone with eyes could see that if the Patriots had a competent quarterback, they at least would have been in the wild-card chase.