The Patriots need to make a big move to replace Tom Brady. Moving up to draft Tua Tagovailoa could be a master stroke by Bill Belichick.
Bill Belichick is arguably the greatest football coach of all time, but he can’t be serious about trying to win a Super Bowl with either Jarrett Stidham or Brian Hoyer at quarterback. That’s why it’s time for the Patriots to make the big move to trade up for Tua Tagovailoa.
Ben Volin of the Boston Globe suggests that Belichick should call up his old buddy Matt Patricia to move up to the third spot in the draft. Joe Burrow is a lock to go to the Bengals with the No. 1 overall selection and it’s hard to imagine the Redskins passing on Chase Young at No. 2. That would leave the franchise picking third free and clear to make Tua their franchise quarterback of the future.
Moving that far up in Round 1 would be an expensive proposition for the Patriots. It’s the right time for the franchise to push their chips into the middle of the table though. New England has constructed a veteran roster that is prepared to win now. That’s not going to happen with either Stidham or Hoyer under center.
Sure, it’s possible that Belichick can scheme his way to a playoff berth with a below average quarterback at the helm of his offense, but he’s not going to win a Super Bowl under those conditions. It’s imperative that the Patriots acquire a signal caller with more upside.
A trade for an established veteran like Jacoby Brissett or Andy Dalton would be a safer, cheaper move. That doesn’t mean either deal would be better for New England over the long haul. Adding Tagovailoa to the roster would give the Patriots a star to build around for the next decade.
That could even prepare the franchise for life after Belichick. There’s no talk about the Hall of Fame coach retiring anytime soon but 67-year-old head coaches can’t roam the sidelines forever. The Patriots would be wise to future proof their franchise against Belichick’s impending retirement by installing a new franchise quarterback as the leader of their team.
Fortune favors the bold in the NFL and it’s time for the Patriots to make an aggressive response to Tom Brady’s departure. Making a big move up the draft board to grab Tua Tagovailoa could set the franchise right back on course to another Super Bowl title.