The Patriots look like they're about to let their starting left tackle, their best pass-rusher and one of the most successful kickers in NFL history sign elsewhere as free agents.
For most teams, this would mark a disastrous start to the offseason.
But these are the Patriots, so they'll be just fine. In fact, history tells us they might even find a way to get better somehow.
The Patriots declined to apply their franchise tag to three key veterans: Trent Brown, who started all 19 regular-season and playoff games last season as Tom Brady's blindside protector; Trey Flowers, who has led the team in sacks for three straight seasons; and Stephen Gostkowski, a four-time Pro Bowl kicker who is 12th on the league's all-time scoring list.