One trade, cut, signing New England Patriots should make

The New England Patriots have entered unfamiliar territory as they opted to part ways with six-time Super Bowl-winning head coach Bill Belichick, replacing him with first-year HC Jerod Mayo.

Moving on from the greatest coach of all time may sound like a step back, but the Patriots have the flexibility to kick off the next phase in franchise history in better shape than how the Belichick era ended. With that in mind, here are a trade, cut and signing New England should make in the coming months. 

TRADE: Make a blockbuster deal with the Denver Broncos

Despite needing a franchise quarterback, it doesn't appear that the Patriots are sold on addressing the position with the third overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. ESPN's Dan Graziano reported earlier this month that some league members believe New England is open to signing a veteran quarterback in free agency and moving back in the first round of April's draft. 

While Graziano mentioned Atlanta and Minnesota as potential trade partners, a deal with Denver not only makes sense for both sides, but it could net New England its best return.

With Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert residing in the AFC West for most of the next decade, the Broncos must upgrade at quarterback as soon as possible. However, Denver holds the No. 12 overall pick in April and a limited amount of draft capital to trade up. The Broncos could hope Michigan's J.J. McCarthy falls to them, but to ensure they land their quarterback of the future, they should offer a package centered around pick 12 and CB Patrick Surtain II for the third overall selection. 

Not only would this deal put the Patriots in a position to strike another massive deal next offseason, but it would give them the NFL's best young cornerback duo in Surtain and 2023 first-rounder Christian Gonzalez. 

CUT: Cornerback J.C. Jackson 

According to Over the Cap, the Patriots are already projected to have the second-most cap space in the NFL at their disposal this offseason ($69.5M). Yet, by cutting Jackson, which seems inevitable, New England could potentially challenge the Washington Commanders for having the most cap space among teams.

New England will save roughly $14.4M by releasing Jackson, who played in eight games after being re-acquired via a trade with the Los Angeles Chargers back in October, without incurring any dead money. The 2021 Pro Bowler is still only 28, so perhaps the Patriots' new regime will take a one-year flier on Jackson in hopes he finally returns to form. 

SIGNING: Quarterback Kirk Cousins 

As mentioned, the Patriots will need to add a quarterback this offseason, and with so much cap space available, why not swing for the top option hitting the market?

Despite coming off a season-ending torn Achilles, Cousins — who will turn 36 this offseason — should command the most lucrative offer among free-agent signal-callers. Although a return to Minnesota can't be ruled out for Cousins, NFL insider Albert Breer reports that the Vikings aren't willing to offer the 12-year veteran a fully guaranteed deal. 

If that's the case, New England should offer whatever it takes to land Cousins, even if his age and Achilles injury are causes for concern. When healthy, Cousins is a top 10 quarterback in the NFL, and he was in the midst of one of arguably the best seasons of his career in 2023. At the time of his injury, Cousins ranked second in the league in passing yards (2,331) and was tied for the lead in touchdown passes (18) while throwing just five interceptions.

Of course, Cousins won't be a long-term answer in New England, but he would at least provide competent quarterbacking while the team builds up the roster for whoever his successor is.