- The New England Patriots are reportedly in the mix to sign star running back Dalvin Cook.
- Following recent changes in Dalvin Cook’s next team odds, the Patriots are now favored over the Miami Dolphins to land the four-time Pro Bowl running back.
- Bill Belichick is potentially on the hot seat with the Patriots in 2023.
The New England Patriots are once again making headlines in free agency. After failing to sign wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, the Patriots are the betting favorites to acquire running back Dalvin Cook. Currently, the Patriots are at +150 to sign Cook, while the Miami Dolphins have the second-best odds at +200.
Last month, Miami was favored to sign Cook at even money (+100) according to Bovada. The Patriots were not in the discussion to sign the dynamic running back then. While the Dolphins are still in the race, their odds moved from +100 to +200 as the second favorite behind New England.
Despite the movement in the odds, the Patriots were a favorite to sign another prized free agent this offseason. For roughly a month, they were the frontrunners to sign Hopkins at online betting sites.
That was until a substantial shift put the Tennessee Titans in the driver’s seat to sign Hopkins at -300 odds at BetUS. On Sunday, July 16, it was reported that Hopkins would be signing with the Titans. Is Cook the next Patriots free-agency whiff?
Patriots Looking To Provide Mac Jones With More Weapons
Bill Belichick has clearly been looking to surround quarterback Mac Jones with more weapons this offseason. JuJu Smith-Schuster is a fine acquisition, but he isn’t a potential game-changer like Hopkins or Cook.
Last month, Hopkins visited the Patriots and was mingling with members of the team in the locker room. So, there was an attempt by Belichick to improve the offense by kicking the tires on Hopkins. Most likely, Hopkins opted to sign with the Titans for more money. Recent reports suggest that the Patriots’ offer included more incentives than the Titans.
DeAndre Hopkins found Matthew Judon in the #Patriots locker room during his free agent visit today.
Judon has been trying to recruit Hopkins to New England. pic.twitter.com/HudfwHbDs4
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) June 15, 2023
With Hopkins out of the picture, the Patriots have apparently shifted their attention to Cook. Unlike Hopkins, there has been no evidence or rumors of the Patriots actively linked to the former Minnesota Viking. The odds have been the only indicator.
Currently, the Patriots have Rhamondre Stevenson as the No. 1 running back on their depth chart. 24-year-old Pierre Strong Jr., who carried the ball only 10 times as a rookie, is listed as the backup running back going into training camp.
There is a clear and obvious need for the Patriots to improve their running back situation before Week 1. Cook would immediately give the Patriots a big lift in the backfield. Stevenson can be a featured back, but he would slot in perfectly as a No. 2 option behind Cook.
Bill Belichick Could Be On Hot Seat
There might be a very good reason for the Patriots being more active than usual in free agency. Belichick is reportedly not making his boss happy and improvements have to be made in 2023.
If this doesn’t happen, could we witness the unthinkable as owner Bob Kraft relieves Belichick of his GM and head coaching duties? According to Patriots insider Tom E. Curran, Belichick has been on the hot seat since 2019.
“He’s on the hot seat, and he’s been there on different levels of warmth since 2019,” Curran told Rich Eisen of The Rich Eisen Show on Monday.
🗣️ @tomecurran
“He’s been there with different levels I’d warmth since 2019.”
The @NBCSBoston #Patriots insider told us if this could really be Bill Belichick’s final year in New England:#NFL pic.twitter.com/VxoT5PPGJM
— Rich Eisen Show (@RichEisenShow) July 17, 2023
As the only NFL head coach to win six Super Bowls, it seemed that Belichick was going to leave the Patriots on his own terms. However, Kraft’s patience might be wearing thin. The Patriots are coming off a mediocre 8-9 season in 2022.
In 2020, the Patriots missed making the playoffs for the first time in 12 years. The Patriots would return to the playoffs the following season, but they suffered a 47-17 loss to the Buffalo Bills in the Wild Card Round.
If you look at what has happened over the last few years, it would make sense that Belichick is getting desperate to appease his boss. Signing Cook might be a last-ditch attempt by Belichick to be more competitive this season.
The tension between Kraft and Belichick likely goes back to 2018. It was reported that Belichick did not want to trade Jimmy Garoppolo. Belichick was allegedly losing confidence in Tom Brady and wanted Garoppolo as a long-term solution.
Leonard Fournette Plan B For Patriots
Cook is not going to come cheap for any team. He knows this is his final opportunity for a large contract. While Belichick may very well be feeling the heat, signing an injury-prone 27-year-old running back to a lucrative contract might be a big gamble.
An alternative could be Leonard Fournette. Earlier this week, the Patriots welcomed Fournette to Foxborough for a workout. Fournette was released by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, as the organization enters rebuilding mode following Brady’s retirement.
From @NFLTotalAccess: The #Patriots worked out FA RB Leonard Fournette today, and the two sides will stay in touch. pic.twitter.com/kNl135keVy
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 19, 2023
Fournette is on the heels of a less-than-satisfactory season in Tampa. The 28-year-old LSU Tiger carried the ball 189 times for 668 yards and 3 touchdowns on 3.5 yards per carry. Fournette is likely slowing down in his late 20s, but he would provide the backfield with depth, something the Patriots seriously lack.
Additionally, Fournette would come with a much cheaper price tag than Cook. Despite the betting odds favoring the Patriots to sign Cook, Fournette might be the more realistic deal.
Belichick and the Patriots have long odds to win the Super Bowl in 2024 at BetUS. Currently, you can bet on the Patriots to win Super Bowl LVIII at +6000 odds.
