Patriots Ex Signs Contract With Ravens - NFL Tracker

While the New England Patriots are in search of playmaking receivers, Nelson Agholor did enough in Baltimore to receive a new contract from the Ravens.

FEB. 19 PATRIOTS EX NELSON AGHOLOR LANDS CONTRACT EXTENSION - The Baltimore Ravens got the ball rolling on free agency affairs early on as the team re-signed former New England Patriots receiver Nelson Agholor to a one-year extension on Sunday. 

Agholor, 31, spent the prior two years before his Baltimore entry in New England on a $26 million contract, putting up 835 yards in that span. While far from burning the stat sheet in Charm City (381 yards), Agholor's propensity to score and finish possessions in enemy territory (scoring four of five touchdowns in the red zone) offered him a quantum of redemption after his Foxborough struggles. Barring an extension, Agholor would've become an official free agent on Monday.

JAN. 26 PATRIOTS SET IN-PERSON INTERVIEW WITH RAMS TIGHT ENDS COACH NICK CALEY FOR SUNDAY - While the collective eyes of the NFL universe will be on conference championships this weekend, the New England Patriots are bringing in a familiar face to discuss business.

Los Angeles Rams’ tight ends coach Nick Caley, who coached with the Pats from 2015-22, is scheduled to interview with the team in Foxboro on Sunday, per an NFL Network report. 

Though he joined the Pats’ staff under Bill Belichick in 2015, he was promoted and became New England’s tight ends coach in 2017. Caley added to his resume in 2020, by adding the title of being the team's fullbacks coach in addition to his duties as tight ends coach. Caley joined coach Sean McVay’s staff in Los Angeles as tight ends coach for 2023. 

In addition to Caley, former Las Vegas Raiders coach (and ex-Pat) Josh McDaniels, Rams coach Zac Robinson, Houston Texans quarterbacks coach Jerrod Johnson, Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator Thomas Brown and Detroit Lions pass game coordinator Tanner Engstrand are in consideration for the open position. 

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JAN. 24 PATRIOTS COACHING TARGETS DAN PITCHER, GERALD ALEXANDER OFF BOARD AS COORDINATOR CANDIDATES - The New England Patriots have two less potential candidates to consider for their vacant offensive and defensive coordinator positions, respectively. 

The Cincinnati Bengals, as expected, are hiring current quarterbacks coach Dan Pitcher as their new OC, per a Wednesday evening NFL Network report. 

Additionally, the Las Vegas Raiders are hiring former Pittsburgh Steelers assistant backs coach Gerald Alexander as their safeties coach, per NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe. 

Both Pitcher and Alexander had interviewed for the pair of Pats vacancies under new head coach Jerod Mayo. 

Pitcher, an assistant with the Bengals since 2016, has emerged as a hot coaching commodity in recent months. Working first with Cincinnati's wide receivers, the 37-year-old was officially named quarterbacks coach in 2020, when the Bengals selected Joe Burrow first overall. Pitcher's exemplary work with Burrow earned him a lucrative contract extension last offseason to remain with the club. Pitcher was also instrumental in the development of Bengals' backup quarterback Jake Browning, who started seven games for the club after Burrow's season-ending injury.

Alexander just completed his second year as the Pittsburgh Steelers assistant defensive backs coach, serving under head coach Mike Tomlin. Under his tutelage, the Steelers secondary tied for first in the League in interceptions with 20 in 2022. Prior to his stay in the Steel City, the 39-year-old coached defensive backs for the Miami Dolphins from 2020-21 under former Pats' coach Brian Flores.

New England is actively searching for a candidate to replace former coordinator Bill O’Brien — who was recently named to the same position at Ohio State University. They have already interviewed Los Angeles Rams coaches Nick Caley and Zac Robinson for the opening. 

While current Patriots defensive line coach DeMarcus Covington is considered the front-runner for the defensive coordinator position, the Pats may look to their pool of interviewed candidates — including Carolina Panthers outside linebackers coach Tem Lukabu, New Orleans Saints linebackers coach Michael Hodges and Denver Broncos defensive backs coach Christian Parker — as potential positional coaches on Mayo's staff. 

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JAN. 14 PATRIOTS PLAYOF WINS RECORD COULD BE TIED BY COWBOYS, PACKERS, NINERS ON WILD CARD WEEKEND - The New England Patriots reign as kings of the NFL postseason mountain is about to come to an end on Wild Card Weekend. 

The Pats currently hold the league record for most playoff wins with 37 — a feat which they achieved with a 13-3 victory over the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LIII. 

However, New England is set to relinquish sole possession of the league record to at least one of four franchises which trail them at 36 — three of which have the chance to do so this weekend. 

Either the Dallas Cowboys or Green Bay Packers will join them on Sunday, following their wild-card matchup at 4:30 ET from AT&T Stadium. 

Also, the Pittsburgh Steelers are in line to earn their 37th playoff triumph, should they beat the Buffalo Bills on Monday at 4:30 ET from Highmark Stadium. 

Lastly, the San Francisco 49ers— who may be best positioned this season to both catch and pass the Pats record — can earn theirs with a win in the divisional round next weekend. 

New England has yet to earn a postseason victory since their Super Bowl win in 2018. The Patriots lost each of their subsequent postseason games, both in the wild card round   — a 20-13 loss to the Tennessee Titans in 2019 and a 47-17 drubbing at the hands of the Buffalo Bills in 2021. 

Still, the Pats stretch of playoff dominance will not be erased in the coming days and weeks. New England earned all but seven of their postseason victories from 2001-19, under the direction of head coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady — a two-decade run of success unlikely to be duplicated, either in the near or distant future.  

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JAN. 12 PATRIOTS OFFICIALLY HIRE JEROD MAYO AS HEAD COACH, INTRODUCTORY PRESS CONFERENCE SCHEDULED FOR JAN. 17 - For the second time in as many days, the New England Patriots captured the NFL’s most notable headlines. 

After announcing their “mutually parting of ways with legendary coach Bill Belichick on Thursday, the Patriots began Friday morning by hiring his successor in Jerod Mayo. 

With the Pats now officially acknowledging Mayo’s new role via social media, they have scheduled an introductory press conference at noon on Wednesday, Jan. 17 to formally introduce him as the team’s 15th head coach in franchise history.

New England’s choosing Mayo is already garnering significant support among current Patriots players, who have taken to social media to express their approval. The Patriots now face the important task of pairing their new head coach with a general manager who will help “lead the team back to the playoffs,” per the directive of team owner Robert Kraft. 

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JAN. 7 PATRIOTS DECLARE SIX INACTIVES; JETS LIST SEVEN FOR SEASON-FINALE -The New England Patriots (4-12) are set for their Week 18 matchup with the New York Jets (6-10) at Gillette Stadium.

As the specter of coach Bill Belichick’s fate with the organization blankets the skies over Foxboro, along with the continuous falling snow, the Pats will be without the services of left tackle Trent Brown (illness), receiver Tyquan Thornton, and in perhaps the biggest surprise on the list, quarterback Mac Jones. Third-stringer Nathan Rourke will back-up Bailey Zappe. 

With just over an hour until kickoff at 1 p.m. ET, the Patriots and Jets have released their full lists of inactives:

PATRIOTS INACTIVES

QB Mac Jones (Emergency 3rd QB)

WR Tyquan Thornton

S Joshuah Bledsoe

RB Ja’Mycal Hasty

TE La’Michael Pettway

DE Sam Roberts

T Trent Brown

JETS INACTIVES

K Austin Seibery

QB Aaron Rodgers

WR Allen Lazard

CB Bryce Hall

DE Carl Lawson

T Austin Deculus

LB Marcelino McCrary-Ball

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JAN. 6 PATRIOTS CONVERT LAWRENCE GUY CONTRACT INCENTIVE TO BONUS - Though holiday season may be over, the New England Patriots are still embracing the spirit of giving.

With defensive tackle Lawrence Guy on the cusp of earning an incentive worth $500,000 at season’s end, the Pats have reportedly converted the money into a bonus — thus guaranteeing the veteran defender receives it, regardless of whether he meets his contractual obligations. 

Guy’s 2023 contract allowed for the bonus, provided he played 45 percent of the team’s snaps. Since he is currently at 45.57 percent, the team removed the incentive, and in the process, prevented a scenario where he missed out on the money by just a few snaps.

The Patriots gesture may be something of an olive branch between both sides. Guy and the Patriots got off to a rocky start in 2023, with the former team captain holding out of June’s minicamp. Guy eventually reported to training camp in late July without any further issues. He remains under contract through the 2024 season. 

Guy has appeared in a combined 117 regular season and playoff games for New England, heading into this weekend’s season-finale against the New York Jets. This year, he has compiled 36 total tackles and one pass break-up, while serving a key cog in the Pats’ top-ranked run defense. Despite missing three games with a shoulder injury in 2022, the 33-year-old logged 46 total tackles (three for loss,) two sacks and five quarterback hits. He has also been a valuable presence both on and off the field. Guy was voted to Patriots 2010s All-Decade Team and was named a team captain in 2020. He won the Ron Burton Community Service Award in 2021 and was the Patriots nominee for the NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year in 2022.

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DEC. 27 PATRIOTS CLAIM EX ARIZONA CARDINALS CORNERBACK - The New England Patriots have bolstered their cornerback depth, per a report from ESPN's Adam Schefter, by claiming former Arizona Cardinals fourth-round pick Marco Wilson off waivers. 

Wilson, the former Florida Gator, was released by the Cardinals on Tuesday, just three years into his NFL career. After having a promising start to his career, starting in 26 games through his first two seasons, while recording 106 tackles, two for a loss, 14 passes defended, and three interceptions, he saw a drop off this season.

Following a promising second season where Wilson gave up a 57.5 completion percentage while allowing just 546 yards in coverage, his effectiveness steeply declined this year with the Cardinals. Wilson's completion percentage and yards allowed jumped to career-highs at 73.4 percent and 727 yards in 11 starts. 

This decline led to Wilson's eventual release as he failed to register a defensive snap in the Cardinals' last four games. He now joins a Patriots cornerback room that has been struck with injuries.

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DEC. 26 PATRIOTS SIGN TE LA’MICHAEL PETTAWAY TO PRACTICE SQUAD - The New England Patriots are adding some reinforcements to their corps of tight ends in advance of their Week 17 matchup with the Buffalo Bills. 

The Patriots, per a report from KPRC’s Aaron Wilson, are signing LaMichael Pettaway to their practice squad, filling one of four open spots on their scout team. 

The Pats previously hosted the 26-year-old on two free agent visits — the first coming in July 2022 and the other in Nov. 2023. Pettway began his college career at Arkansas, playing three seasons under former Patriots assistant Bret Bielema from 2015-2018. He played his final collegiate season at Iowa, where he appeared in 13 games (10 starts) and registered 55 receptions for 676 yards and six touchdowns en route to earning Honorable Mention All-Big 12 recognition.

Pettaway then played two seasons in the USFL. The 6-2, 223 pound tight end most recently played for the Birmingham Stallions of the USFL and helped the team win the 2023 USFL Championship. He also played one season for the Michigan Panthers in 2022. Pettaway spent the summer at training camp with the Indianapolis Colts.

While it has yet to be confirmed, Pettaway’s signing may have been made with the health of top tight end Hunter Henry in mind. The Pats team captain missed Sunday’s win over the Denver Broncos due to a knee injury he suffered against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 15. If Henry’s injury continues to keep him away from the field, Pettaway may add some needed help to reserves Mike Gesicki and Pharaoh Brown, as well as fellow scout teamer Matt Sokol. 

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DEC. 14 PATRIOTS TIGHT END PHARAOH BROWN PARTNERS WITH NONPROFIT, PAYS LAYAWAY FEES FOR BROCKTON, MA SHOPPERS — New England Patriots tight end Pharaoh Brown is no stranger to giving. 

Whether lending his prowess as a blocker to aid in protecting Pats quarterbacks, opening rushing lanes for their running game or delivering a clutch catch for big-yardage gains, Brown has become something of a fan-favorite in New England. 

Still, his recent acts of kindness have helped him make a difference in the lives of 69 local families during the holiday season.  

During a surprise holiday payoff event at a Citi Trends store in Brockton, Mass. on Tuesday, customers had their layaway items paid off from a partnership between the nonprofit Pay Away the Layaway, and Brown himself. 

Customers Jhoanna Castro, 10, center, and Evelyn Chimbay, 7, get a high-five from New England Patriots tight end Pharaoh Brown at a surprise holiday payoff event at Brockton Citi Trends on Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023 :: Cred: Marc Vasconcellos/The Enterprise

Brown joined Pay Away to deliver the good news that holiday layaway balances had been paid in full, and recipients were able to bring their layaways home that day.

“I just got out of the hospital after cancer treatment. This couldn’t have come at a better time. This was a blessing, I really do appreciate it,” said one surprised and grateful layaway customer, per Pay Away’s website. 

For over 10 years, Pay Away has spread joy and kindness to unsuspecting families by paying of their layaway balances across the country. Brown now becomes their latest high-profile partner in the area. 

In 13 games for the Patriots this season, Brown has compiled 174 receiving yards on eight catches (averaging 21.8 yards-per-reception) and one touchdown. 

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DEC. 13 PATRIOTS HAVE LONE PLAYER AMONG PRO BOWL VOTE LEADERS - In a forgettable season in which the Patriots are trending toward their worst record in 30 years and Bill Belichick might lose his legendary job, it's not surprising that New England is almost getting shut out of Pro Bowl voting. It's also fitting that their lone AFC representative might be the punter.

Rookie Bryce Baringer is the only Patriots player to lead his position in fan voting released by the NFL on Wednesday. Baringer is only 18th in the NFL with an average of 47.1 yards, but he leads the league with 31 kicks downed inside the opponent's 20. He has boomed seven punts over 60 yards, including kicks of 70 and 79. He had a 66-yarder in last week's upset win over the Steelers in Pittsburgh.

A sign of the 3-10 Patriots' paltry offense: Baringer has 72 punts; the offense only 19 touchdowns.  

Last year the Pats also only had one Pro Bowl representative in edge-rusher Matthew Judon. Before 2022, the last time they sent only one player was 2000. During their two-decade dynasty the Pats regularly boasted 8-10 Pro Bowl players.

This season's Pro Bowl Games will be held Feb. 4 in Orlando, Fla.

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DEC. 12 PATRIOTS HOST TRIO FOR FREE AGENT WORKOUTS, INCLUDING BROWN UNIVERSITY ALUM E.J. PERRY - With hybrid quarterback/receiver Malik Cunningham having joined the Baltimore Ravens, the New England Patriots hosted a trio of players on offense as they attempt to fill the three vacant spots on their practice squad. 

The Pats worked out quarterback E.J. Perry, as well as receivers Kendell Hinton and C.J Saunders per Tuesday evening reports from ESPN's Mike Reiss and KPRC 2's Aaron Wilson. 

Perry originally landed on the Pats radar during the 2022 NFL pre-draft cycle process. working out with quarterbacks Mac Jones and Jarrett Stidham. After going undrafted, he agreed to a free agent deal with the Philadelphia Eagles. However, before officially signing the contract, Perry decided to join the Jacksonville Jaguars. He spent the majority of his rookie season with the Jags practice squad. He was released by Jacksonville in March 2023 before spending two stints with the Houston Texans, as well as the Michigan Panthers of the USFL. 

In addition to his pair of workouts with the Patriots, Perry has significant ties to the New England area. A native of Andover Massachusetts, Perry was a standout athlete for Andover High. He began his collegiate career at Boston College before transferring to Brown University in 2019. Under head coach James Perry (himself a former Brown Bears’ star quarterback, as well as E.J. 's uncle), he immediately took over the starting job, ultimately starting 20 games for Brown.

In his first season with the Bears, Perry proved himself to be multifaceted at the position. He averaged 5.2 yards on 141 carries for 727 yards and eight touchdowns. Through the air, he compiled nearly 3,000 passing yards, with 23 touchdowns. Perry not only led the FCS in total yards, but he also set an Ivy league record in the process.

In 2021, Perry completed 66.5 percent of his passes for 3,034 yards, 23 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. He also ran for 402 yards and seven rushing touchdowns, earning him first-team All-Ivy League honors and an Offensive Player of the Year award.

Hinton signed as an undrafted rookie with the Denver Broncos in 2020. Through 29 games, the 26-year-old has compiled 39 catches for 486 yards and one touchdown He has also been a factor in the return game, averaging 12.2 yards per punt return. Though the Wake Forest product has mostly been relegated to the scout team, he has some active roster experience. Hinton has made six starts, including one noteworthy start at quarterback, when the Broncos had multiple quarterbacks on the Covid-19 reserve list. He was waived by Denver during final roster cutdowns at the end of August. 

Saunders signed with the Carolina Panthers in 2021. The 27-year-old product of Ohio State has spent his first two seasons on Carolina’s practice squad, appearing in two games. logging two catches for 11 yards. Saunders signed with the Atlanta Falcons practice squad in August and was released in October.

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DEC. 12 MALIK CUNNINGHAM SIGNED BY RAVENS - Use him or lose him. After a season of inactivity despite glimpses of excitement in the preseason, rookie Malik Cunningham is no longer with the New England Patriots. The Baltimore Ravens signed him off the Pats' practice squad and onto their 53-man roster Tuesday.

Cunningham appeared in only one game - October 15 at the Las Vegas Raiders - playing six snaps and getting taken down for a 5-yard loss the only time he touched the ball. His potential teased Pats fans, but he was used primarily as a receiver and a scout-team quarterback on New England's practice squad.

It was hoped that with the Patriots long out of contention for the playoffs or even a winning record, Cunningham might get a chance at quarterback while Bailey Zappe and Mac Jones alternated ugly performances.

And it wasn't a sentiment shared only by fans. After hearing of Cunningham's departure, Pats' veteran left tackle Trent Brown said, "Go flourish where your talent is respected."

Said Malik to ESPN: “I wanted to thank Mr. [Robert] Kraft and coach [Bill] Belichick for giving me [the] opportunity to play with the Patriots. I learned a lot from them. I want to be a coach one day, so I would take notes from coach Belichick because he’s one of the greatest of all time. I had great teammates in New England and built relationships that will last a lifetime."

While Zappe remains the Pats' starter in place of demoted Jones (with Will Grier on the practice squad), Cunningham in Baltimore will enjoy a reunion with former Louisville teammate Lamar Jackson.

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DEC. 9 PATRIOTS PRACTICE SQUAD LB CALVIN MUNSON SIGNING WITH MIAMI DOLPHINS - The New England Patriots will have two spots available on their practice squad as they begin preparations for their Week 15 matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs on Dec. 17 at Gillette Stadium. 

Linebacker Calvin Munson, per a report from ESPN’s Mike Reiss, will be leaving New England’s scout team to sign with the Miami Dolphins 53-man roster — helping the Fins increase their depth at the position for their playoff run. 

Munson was signed to the Pats scout team in October 2022 for his third tour of duty. He previously spent time on the New England practice squad in 2018 and 2019 and on the 53-man roster in 2021. He has also spent time on the active roster with the Dolphins from 2019-2021. Munson has been a special teams mainstay throughout his pro career. In 2023, he served as a game day elevation for the maximum three games (Week 1 vs. Philadelphia, Week 2 vs. Miami and Week 10 vs. Indianapolis,) the maximum allowed by the NFL. During his time on the field, Munson logged only one tackle in 11 defensive snaps and 25 on special teams. 

In addition to Munson’s departure, the Pats also released kicker Matthew Wright from the practice squad on Friday. 

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DEC. 7 PATRIOTS BELICHICK GUEST PICKER ON COLLEGE GAMEDAY - From blowing off questions about current starters to side-stepping inquiries about the future, Bill Belichick repeatedly, blatantly refuses to address the mess he's made with the Patriots. But on other topics, he at times almost sounds human, if not insightful and empathetic.

Like, say, when it comes to another team's star player and he babbles on for five minutes. Or, this Saturday, when the traditional Army-Navy game comes to town.

In a rare public media appearance where he will (we think) voluntarily offer some opinions, New England's habitually grumpy coach is scheduled to be ESPN's "Guest Picker" as College GameDay visits Gillette Stadium in Foxboro. Owner Robert Kraft is scheduled to appear as well.

Belichick, of course, has a lifelong affinity for the Naval Academy. He grew up in Annapolis as he father, Steve, forged a 33-year career as scout and coach for the Midshipmen. He learned football from players like Roger Staubach and the virtues of discipline, attention to detail and preparation.

For two decades, those tenants - along with a guy named Tom Brady - helped the Patriots win six Super Bowls. Belichick has kept his Navy influence, in 2017 inviting its coaching staff to a minicamp and often going off on 20-minute diatribes about World War II to young players. (The Patriots and Kraft also hold close ties to the military, evidenced by the team's plane shuttling soldiers home to see families on Memorial Day in 2022.)

Though he's cemented his place in Canton as one of the greatest coaches of all time, Belichick's legacy is being dented in the wake of Brady's departure. These days his gruff, no nonsense approach is being seen as more bully than brilliant.

Sitting in on ESPN's set Saturday before a traditional spectacle won't help his disastrous Patriots season, but it will help re-humanize Belichick.

By the way, one guess which team Bill will pick ...

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DEC. 7 PATRIOTS ELEVATE MALIK CUNNINGHAM,  FROM PRACTICE SQUAD FOR THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL VS. PITTSBURGH STEELERS; CLAIM CHRISTIAN ELLISS FROM EAGLES - The New England Patriots have elevated Malik Cunningham from their practice squad for their Week 14 matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium.  Kickoff is set for 8:15 p.m. ET

They have also claimed LB Christian Elliss off waivers from the Philadelphia Eagles, per ESPN’s Field Yates. The transaction will be deferred until Friday morning, as the team will be a participant in the Week 14 Thursday night game. Elliss is known for his special teams prowess, having played on 76 percent of their snaps in the game’s third phase. 

Cunningham, who is receiving a game day promotion for the second straight week, may be in line to see situational snaps against a Steelers defense known for its stifling pass rush led by linebacker T.J. Watt. He is expected to act as the primary backup to starter Bailey Zappe, with Mac Jones relegated to third on the depth chart for this game. 

For Harris, this will be his first elevation from the scout team this season. He is expected to help lessen the workload of lead running back Ezekiel Elliott. Incumbent starter Rhamondre Stevenson is inactive for Week 14 due to an ankle injury suffered during New England’s Week 13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. 

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DEC. 7 THE PATRIOTS AND STEELERS ONCE PLAYED GAMES THAT MATTERED - In a galaxy far, far away from Thursday night's anticipated slogfest in Pittsburgh, the Patriots and Steelers were elite NFL teams that played for Super Bowl berths. For a much-needed respite from New England's current 2-10 gloom and the fact that tonight in prime time Bailey Zappe will be opposing Mitch Trubisky, let's look back at the 2004 AFC Championship Game.

To the backdrop of The Who's "Baba O'Riley," CBS gave us goosebumps with a pre-game intro that included Tom Brady, Ben Roethlisberger and Jim Nantz.

Ahhh, the good ol' days ...

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DEC. 3 PATRIOTS WIN BY LOSING, IMPROVE 2024 DRAFT POSITION - Last week Patriots' safety Jabrill Peppers admitted his team was "a**." By being even worse on Sunday, they ... ascended. At least - in theory - come 2024.

The Patriots' hideous 6-0 home loss to the Chargers dropped them to 2-10. And they caught a surprising break in the "race" for a better draft pick next April as the Cardinals upset the Steelers in Pittsburgh to improve to 3-10.

With five games remaining in the season, the Patriots have moved up from No. 3 to the No. 2 overall pick. Thanks to their loss to the Buccaneers, the 1-11 Panthers retain the No. 1 pick (which belongs to the Chicago Bears because of a trade prior to the 2023 draft).

The Patriots, who clearly need help at every offensive position in the wake of tying a record for futility dating back to 1938, haven't had a Top 2 pick since selecting quarterback Drew Bledsoe first overall in 1993. They likely will be underdogs in each of their remaining games: at 7-5 Pittsburgh, vs. 8-3 Kansas City, at 6-6 Denver, at 6-6 Buffalo and vs. the 4-8 Jets.

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DEC. 2 ROOKIE MALIK CUNNINGHAM ACTIVATED - In a disastrous season desperate for some excitement - in lieu of success - the Patriots are turning to rookie Malik Cunningham Sunday against the Chargers.

As expected, the Patriots officially elevated Cunningham from the practice squad to the active roster on Saturday, making him eligible to play. Cunningham has played mostly receiver, but has worked as a quarterback on New England's scout team as well.

New England has presumedly made the decision to start second-year quarterback Bailey Zappe, after the faltering of incumbent starter Mac Jones. Zappe has taken the majority of the first-team snaps during New England’s week of practice. However, Cunningham has seen an increase in reps at the position, taking a notable number on Friday.

Because of injuries to rookie Demario Douglas and Kayshon Boutte, Cunningham may also be called into duty at receiver. In a season in which the only drama is where the 2-9 Pats will wind up in the 2024 NFL Draft, the athletic rookie might provide something worth watching.

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DEC. 1 PATRIOTS' GUY EARNS NFL HONORS - There hasn't been much winning on the field for the New England Patriots this season, as indicated by their 2-9 record. However, for veteran defensive tackle Lawrence Guy the same cannot be said about his off-the-field work. 

Guy was named the winner of the Week 13 "NFLPA Community MVP" award for his donation of 40 baby strollers to underprivileged mothers in the Greater Boston area, as announced by the NFL Players Association on Friday. 

“I am so honored to be named the NFLPA Community MVP,” Guy said in a release from the NFLPA. “The Lawrence Guy Family Foundation’s community involvement and commitment is essential because it allows us to connect with and support those around us that are in need.”

Guy becomes the 13th winner of the weekly award this season, joining other notable names, like New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley, Atlanta Falcons defensive end Calais Campbell, and Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow, all of whom have been recognized for their work within their communities,

Thanks to Guy's work giving back to the Greater Boston community, the NFL has also pledged to donate $10,000 to either his foundation or a charity of his choosing. 

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