Gone -- for now -- are the days when the New England Patriots had a built-in advantage for recruiting free agents thanks to the existence of Tom Brady.
Though the Patriots reportedly made a competitive offer for free agent offensive tackle La'el Collins, the longtime member of the Dallas Cowboys ultimately signed with the Cincinnati Bengals, who employ quarterback Joe Burrow.
Whether Burrow had made a formal sales pitch to Collins or not, his mere presence is enough that Cincinnati, the reigning AFC champions, have become a destination.
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Burrow was indeed part of the recruiting pitch to bring Collins to the Bengals, according to Albert Breer, but so wasn't another offensive lineman the team signed last week. Breer reported that former Patriots guard Ted Karras, who'll team with Collins to shore up Cincinnati's weakest link -- its offensive line -- from last season was also part of the group which put the press on Collins.
The Bengals signed Collins, 28, to a three-year deal that runs through the 2024 season.
If Mac Jones can build off what was a solid rookie year for the Patriots, Foxboro can once again become a destination for free agents. Until then, it shouldn't come as a surprise that a once-unthinkable team like the Bengals has surpassed them in the pecking order -- with a former New Englander himself as part of the recruitment.
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The Patriots will have to continue to search for upgrades along their offensive line after striking out on Collins, losing Karras, trading Shaq Mason and as Trent Brown appears to have one foot out the door.