Should Patriots consider reuniting with former All-Pro DB?
Should Patriots consider reuniting with former All-Pro DB?
The New England Patriots are enjoying their time off between the end of mandatory minicamp and the start of training camp in late July, but there's still work to do.
New England's front office and coaching staff should constantly evaluate their roster and find solutions to their problems.
With the Patriots losing a big presence on the field in Matthew Slater this offseason, they could use another veteran leader on special teams to lead the unit.
A name that New England should consider is an old friend who's still looking for a new team for the 2024 season - defensive back Justin Bethel.
Bethel, 34, was originally a sixth-round pick of the Arizona Cardinals in 2012, and he made two First-Team All-Pros and three Pro Bowls during his time there.
After bouncing around with the Atlanta Falcons and Baltimore Ravens, Bethel joined the Patriots for three seasons, forming one of the scariest coverage teams in the league.
During his tenure with New England, Bethel appeared in 42 games and recorded 25 tackles, one forced fumble and two recovered fumbles.
Bethel has spent the last two seasons with the Miami Dolphins, where he worked on special teams and as a depth defender.
At 34 years old, his best years are probably behind him, but the Patriots could still benefit from bringing Bethel in on an inexpensive, short-term deal and having him be a leader for the young group of gunners like Brenden Schooler and Isaiah Bolden.