The New England Patriots will certainly be one of the most interesting teams to follow closely in the NFL this year.
There is speculation that legendary head coach Bill Belichick is on the hot seat this year, and that a third non-playoff season in four years could lead to his dismissal from the franchise he turned into a dynasty.
As well, quarterback Mac Jones could be fighting for his job after a frustrating sophomore year. The Patriots brought back Bill O’Brien to serve as their offensive coordinator following one forgettable year of the Matt Patricia-Joe Judge tandem, leaving Jones with no excuses.
Of course, there are several other veterans on the Patriots that could be fighting for their jobs throughout training camp and preseason. That just might include $24 million veteran and cornerback Jalen Mills.
Bleacher Report’s Joe Tansey opines that the Patriots could look to trade Mills, given their wealth of cornerbacks and safeties on the depth chart:
“Jalen Mills might be the biggest loser of the Patriots drafting Christian Gonzalez in the first round.
The Patriots have (Christian) Gonzalez and Jonathan Jones set to start at cornerback, while Kyle Dugger and Jabrill Peppers are the favorites to start at safety.
Mills could lose out on a roster spot to Adrian Phillips or rookie Marte Mapu at safety, and there is not a path for him to be a backup cornerback with Marcus Jones and Myles Bryant in place…
Mills could have a great preseason and still be on the outside looking in at a starting spot, and that could make him one of the better options on the trade market. Injuries and preseason performances elsewhere will dictate Mills’ potential trade market, but he could be on the move if the perfect situation comes about.”
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Two years ago, the Patriots signed the ex-Philadelphia Eagle and Super Bowl 52 champion to a four-year deal worth $24 million. The Patriots released Mills earlier this offseason, only to bring him back on a cheaper deal several days later.
For his career, the 29-year-old Mills has seven interceptions, 52 pass defenses and 361 combined tackles. In 10 games for the Patriots last season, Mills had two interceptions and 15 pass defenses.
