The New England Patriots have been busy this offseason, upgrading a roster that went just 4-13 last season. Yet, the Patriots also entered the offseason with arguably the most ammo, boasting the most cap space in the NFL with over $100 million to spend.
They’ve done just that, investing heavily into a defense that ranked 22nd in points allowed in 2024. The biggest signing the Patriots made was getting former Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Milton Williams inked to a four-year, $104 million contract.
However, now there are indications that the Patriots may have tried issuing an even bigger contract to another top free agent.
Related: NFL Power Rankings 2025: Where do the New England Patriots rank before the 2025 NFL Draft?
Did the New England Patriots issue Chris Godwin a ‘blank check?’
While the New England Patriots invested heavily in their defense, one of the biggest criticisms regarding their offseason is the thought that they didn’t do enough to put Drake Maye in a position to succeed on offense. After all, the Patriots ranked 30th in scoring last season.
Tight end Hunter Henry led the team with 674 receiving yards, and the Patriots allowed the fifth-most sacks in the NFL. So far, we’ve seen two-time Super Bowl-winning center David Andrews released and replaced by former first-round pick Garrett Bradbury.
But what about left tackle, where former sixth-round pick Vederian Lowe seems like the favorite to start? Several offensive tackles landed lucrative contracts this offseason, but not from the Patriots. What about getting their franchise quarterback a No. 1 receiver?
According to Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht, several teams tried prying one-time Pro Bowl receiver Chris Godwin away from Tampa. He adds that one team even reportedly kept “writing blank checks” to try convincing Godwin to leave the Buccaneers.
“There were several teams that inquired but there was one that kept writing him blank checks. We got to a point of what we could do in order to keep everything together and add some pieces here, and he took it.”
While Licht wasn’t willing to name names, Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio said the Patriots are “widely believed to have made Godwin a very lucrative offer.” Considering Godwin was on pace to record a career-best 1,399 yards before his season-ending ankle fracture, it makes sense that the Patriots would want to make him their No. 1 receiver.
Godwin ultimately signed a three-year, $66 million contract to stay in Tampa Bay through the 2027 season, but the Buccaneers do hold a team option for the final year of his deal.
Related: 2025 NFL mock draft: Who should the Patriots draft in the first round?
