3 Contracts Patriots Must Prioritize in 2023 Offseason

There's no way around it. The New England Patriots' 2022 campaign was a disappointing one for a fanbase used to seeing its team compete for titles.

The Patriots went 8-9 and missed the playoffs for the second time in three years, a tough break for a team that went to the postseason in 15 of the previous 16 seasons.

The good news is that the team has the resources to upgrade a roster that was in the hunt this season. The Patriots have the fourth-most cap space, per Spotrac, heading into the offseason with the potential to create even more through cuts and restructures.

That's great news for New England because it will allow it to aggressively target some of the best players available. It also gives the team the resources to make competitive offers to the free agents it wants to keep.

There are definitely players with expiring deals the team will be more than happy to watch leave, but the following three names should be prioritized to come back on new deals.

CB Jonathan Jones

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 18: Jonathan Jones #31 of the New England Patriots looks on during an NFL football game between the Las Vegas Raiders and the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)

The Patriots have shown they are willing to watch talented cornerbacks take more money elsewhere, but here comes a point when they have to retain some of their talent at the position.

Jonathan Jones showed this season that he can be a valuable member of the defense. At 29 years old, he isn't likely to command a huge contract and makes too much sense as someone who can provide continuity in the secondary to ignore.

The Auburn product transitioned to the outside this season after proving himself as a decent option in the slot. The result was a passer rating allowed of 73.0 while holding quarterbacks to a 52.7 completion percentage.

He gave up five touchdowns but also picked off four passes. That's not a sign the Pats should let him leave, but rather that he won't satisfy the role of No. 1 corner.

New England is likely going to have to utilize the draft or free agency to find that true alpha coverage guy, but Jones' versatility and ability to be the second starter on the outside makes him a high-value free agent.

The fact that his age might make him less desirable to outside suitors is just a bonus.

WR Jakobi Meyers

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FOXBOROUGH, MA - JANUARY 01: New England Patriots wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) goes in motion on a trick play during a game between the New England Patriots and the Miami Dolphins on January 1, 2023, at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The Patriots desperately need to upgrade the weaponry around quarterback Mac Jones. The sophomore took a step back this season and giving him a better supporting cast is the best way to spark more development in his third season.

Those upgrades shouldn't come at the cost of moving on from Jakobi Meyers, though. The former undrafted free agent has been the franchise's leading receiver in each of the last three seasons.

The 26-year-old has developed good chemistry with Jones. While he needs better receivers around him, there's still something to be said for continuity.

Over the last two seasons with Jones primarily under center, Meyers has combined for 150 receptions and 1,670 yards.

The truth is that the NC State product is a solid No. 2 receiver and would be an excellent third receiver. New blood needs to be added to the group, but there's still a definitive role for him in the offense as a guy with steady hands and a knack for getting first downs.

Looking at the potential receiver free-agent class, there aren't a ton of good options. Allowing Meyers to go elsewhere would leave the Patriots without a sure replacement and set the receiving corps back even further.

S Jabrill Peppers

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GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 12: Jabrill Peppers #3 of the New England Patriots defends against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on December 12, 2022 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

The Patriots took a shot on Jabrill Peppers this offseason while the safety was coming off a torn ACL. The move has worked out well thus far, but maximizing the value of it means re-signing him to another deal.

The 27-year-old was essentially the fourth safety on the roster, logging 35 percent of the snaps on defense. But he was an active defender when he was on the field. He was tied for 10th in total tackles (60) on the team with Matthew Judon despite the limited snap count.

Peppers recently told reporters how much he enjoyed his first season in a Pats uniform.

"It was good to be a part of a defense that made that many plays and scored the ball that many times," he said. "It was great seeing the young guys grow into who they are, and they're going to continue to grow into who they're going to be."

ACL tears often take two years before the player is back to 100 percent. The possibility Peppers could be even healthier in 2023 combined with the fact that fellow safety Devin McCourty is 35 years old gives the Michigan product a good case to be re-signed.

If McCourty retires or simply needs a lighter workload, Peppers could slot in as an affordable option who already knows the defense.