5 NFL teams that should tank for Trevor Lawrence

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 13: Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Clemson Tigers sits in the pocket during the second quarter of the College Football Playoff National Championship game against the LSU Tigers at the Mercedes Benz Superdome on January 13, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The LSU Tigers topped the Clemson Tigers, 42-25. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images) /

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UNSPECIFIED LOCATION – APRIL 23: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY) In this still image from video provided by the New England Patriots, Head Coach Bill Belichick speaks via teleconference after being selected during the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft on April 23, 2020. (Photo by Getty Images/Getty Images) /

3. New England Patriots

The departure of Tom Brady certainly threw New England for a loop, but it is curious to see how lackadaisically the Patriots have tried to replace him. New England brought back Brian Hoyer to compete with Jarrett Stidham, but that has been the only move the Patriots have made.

Bill Belichick did not draft a quarterback this year, a fact he said was not by design, suggesting perhaps that he got beaten to the punch for a passer he liked. Andy Dalton, another presumed New England target, took a one-year deal to be the backup to Dak Prescott in Dallas instead.

Stidham does have his supporters in New England, but he will never be the next Tom Brady. The Patriots do have enough in the tank to contend for the AFC East right now, but the franchise’s upside in the postseason is significantly limited.

A strategic tank could allow New England to sacrifice one bad year of football for Lawrence, giving them incredible continuity at the game’s most important position. For a chess master like Belichick, a gambit like this could allow him to look like a genius and enhance Belichick’s legacy even further.

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