Freddie Popken

The sky is falling in New England. The Patriots have lost three straight games for the first time since 2002. There are reports of a Patriots fire sale, including trade rumors for Stephon Gilmore, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year. Clearly the team must be in shambles and the season washed away, right? If these rumors are true, then that must mean that they are going to be competing with the New York Jets for the #1 pick in the 2021 draft. I, for one, would love to see Trevor Lawrence under Bill Belichick.

With the NFL season kicking off in just under two weeks, there is still a ton of uncertainty throughout the entire league. From teams without names and a pandemic ready to halt the season at any moment, this season is set to be unlike any other. One thing that makes this season unlike any in recent memory is the change of quarterback in New England. For the first time in 19 years, a quarterback not named Tom Brady will be under center for the Patriots, with 2015 MVP Cam Newton likely taking over the reins. With this changing of the guard and the numerous players opting out of this season, there is no guarantee that the Patriots even make the playoffs, let alone win the AFC East. Looking ahead at the Patriots 2020 schedule, it will surely be a battle for the top spot.

On Monday afternoon, the Kansas City Chiefs locked up Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes with a lucrative contract extension, tying Mahomes to the Chiefs through 2031.  The deal is reported to be a 10-year, $450 million extension with additional incentives that could take it over half a billion dollars. With his current 2-year, $27.6 million contract, Mahomes current deal comes in at a total of 12 years and $476.6, as reported by Adam Schefter of ESPN.  This deal would make Mahomes the highest paid athlete ever, topping Mike Trout’s 12-year, $426.5 million deal with the Los Angeles Angels.  While it was important for the Chiefs to secure their franchise quarterback for the foreseeable future, the size of the deal has to potentially handicap the Chiefs in their attempt to follow in the footsteps of the Patriots dynasty.