With injuries plaguing the offensive line, the Patriots must do everything in their power to re-sign Joe Thuney.
Being the most crucial piece of what was an underperforming offensive line, Thuney has proven that he can step up when needed and thus, deserves a payday.
Especially with the future of veteran quarterback Tom Brady hanging in the balance, the older Brady gets and the more eager his is about playing past the age of 45, the more crucial it becomes to give him one of the best offensive linemen the team can afford.
“I think he is going to command big money,” the former Patriots guard and current ESPN football analyst Damien Woody said. “What’s not to like about Joe Thuney?”
“I would want to know that a player has exhibited a high level of play, that he’s been durable within reason — knowing there will be some injuries along the way — and knowing that money and security isn’t going to impact his passion for the game,” said former New York Jets and Miami Dolphins general manager Mike Tannenbaum, who is a football analyst for ESPN.
The 27-year-old is a two time super bowl champion, who has never missed a game during his tenure with the New England Patriots. He would ultimately become the second-round draft pick that the patriots received from the Chandler Jones trade and substantially, he will get paid exactly four years after Jones.
The NFL guard market has ballooned in recent years, aided first by the Jacksonville Jaguars signing unrestricted free agent Andrew Norwell to a five-year, $66.5 million contract with $30 million in bonuses/guarantees in March 2018. That set the stage, a few months later, for Dallas Cowboys guard Zack Martin to receive a six-year, $84 million extensions. With these linemen getting huge paydays, it will not be a surprise if Thuney left for a huge deal for himself, but there is optimism he will stay with the Patriots.
With all things considered, the Patriots have up to 11 big free agency decisions based on their roster alone, with the return of David Andrews, the New England Patriots should not back out of the market for a Thuney, but go all-in on keeping the offensive line a safe one for a soon-to-be 43-year-old quarterback. While NFL Free Agency does not open until March 8, all eyes will be on the New England Patriots, because this offseason will determine if the dynasty is still alive.
