Flood of Patriots opting out ignites Tank for Trevor talk
By John Buhler
Will the New England Patriots end up tanking for Trevor Lawrence in 2020?
The New England Patriots are going to end up with Trevor Lawrence, aren’t they?
When the Patriots signed Cam Newton a few weeks ago, America rejoiced because there was no conceivable way New England would be bad enough to draft the Clemson Tigers star quarterback towards the top of the 2021 NFL Draft. Along with Justin Fields of the Ohio State Buckeyes, these two Heisman Trophy-contending signal-callers are expected to go No. 1 and No. 2 next spring.
Heading into the 2020 NFL season, the Patriots were a team of great variance in the AFC. They could be as good as an 11-5 club and push for the top seed in the conference. They could also go 5-11 and play like they did before Tom Brady was their starter back in 2000. While adding Newton raised their floor, having half a dozen players opt out of the 2020 campaign swiftly lowers it.
Are the New England Patriots shamelessly tanking for Trevor Lawrence?
Admittedly, it seemed a bit fishy that six Patriots players opted out on the same day, the day NFL training camp was to open up. Players have until Monday, Aug. 3 to opt out of the 2020 season. Surely, more players will make whatever decision is best for them and their family in the next several days. However, get a load of what one NFL executive just texted ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Actual text exchange with an NFL executive today after a sixth Patriot opted out:
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 28, 2020
Him: “You know Bill is masterminding all of this somehow.”
Me: “For what reason?”
Him: “I don’t know! That’s why he is who he is!”
“Actual text exchange with an NFL executive today after a sixth Patriot opted out: Him: You know Bill is masterminding all of this somehow.” Me: “For what reason?” Him: “I don’t know! That’s why he is who he is!”
Don’t think for a second a treasure trove of NFL fans replied in the comments about all things “Tank for Trevor.” Though he may not be a viral TikTok sensation like his doppelgänger, Lawrence has the potential to be the next John Elway for any NFL franchise who drafts him. It would be so unbelievably unfair if the Patriots went from Brady to Lawrence with one gap year, but that’s life.
Tank for Trevor Lawrence? I joke, kind of.
— Darren Heitner (@DarrenHeitner) July 28, 2020
Its quite simple, really. The Patriots have a need at long term QB. The Patriots don’t have a great team. So their best players are opting out to help them get a higher draft pick to get one of the top rookie QBs in the next draft. Working the system
— Joe Colonna, Jr. (@JoeyColonna) July 28, 2020
— Pick Six Podcast (@picksixpod) July 28, 2020
The patriots tank and get Trevor Lawrence with the high draft pick. Newton is the transition quarterback to Lawrence and the patriots return with a vengeance restocked after their multiple draft picks in the 2021 draft.
— Jason Billingsley (@MSUHitman) July 28, 2020
Tanking for Trevor... it's clear... he needs a stud at QB... cannot coach them out it...
— ledtear ن (@ledtear) July 28, 2020
Lol he wants to be low enough to get the 1st overall pick via trade up
— Josh⚡️ (@mr_sexys_pizzas) July 28, 2020
I think it has something to do with the tall fella from Clemson
— CJ 🌞 (@chrisburgh) July 28, 2020
It’s so obvious, great for players thinking safety first but Bill calling every player asking them to sit out because it was gonna be a bad year anyway is not crazy, just sit out, be safe, and get the #1 pick for Lawrence, gotta think long term
— NonnoLeoAnto (@broguekick84) July 28, 2020
We all know why pic.twitter.com/H9EDK16mSQ
— Chris Durma (@cdurm295) July 28, 2020
— Jimmy (@THElionsfan_DSN) July 28, 2020
Tin foil hat much? Twitter 1,000 percent believes this is a conspiracy that Patriots head coach Bill Belichick is paying these players to opt out of the season so the team can be bad enough to draft Lawrence No. 1 overall. This is because Belichick has the greatest job security of any head coach and he wants to coach Lawrence until he’s 90 years old. It makes so much sense if you believe it.
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While adding Lawrence will make the Patriots interesting for at least another decade, New England will have to out-tank teams like the Carolina Panthers, the Jacksonville Jaguars, possibly the New York Jets and the Washington Football Team. While “Tanking for Tua” was cool for a hot minute, it wasn’t as awesome as the Indianapolis Colts’ attempt to “Suck for Luck.” How’d that go?
If the Patriots end up drafting Lawrence, there is no reason to watch the NFL any more, period.