Locked On Patriots - Daily Podcast On The New England Patriots - Part II - Free Agency Finances: PatsCap Talks New England Patriots Salary Cap - 4/3/2021

Episode Date: April 3, 2021

When it comes to matters of Foxboro finance, Miguel ‘PatsCap’ is the best there is. Today, he is back for part II of his interview with host Mike D’Abate to discuss the relationship between the Pats’ salary cap situation and the upcoming 2021 NFL Draft. Last but not least, in a segment unique to Locked On Patriots, Miguel “sets the record straight” on the various salary cap myths circulating Patriots Nation.Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Built BarBuilt Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKED15,” and you’ll get 15% off your next order.BetOnline AGThere is only 1 place that has you covered and 1 place we trust. Betonline.ag! Sign up today for a free account at betonline.ag and use that promocode: LOCKEDON for your 50% welcome bonus.Rock AutoAmazing selection. Reliably low prices. All the parts your car will ever need. Visit RockAuto.com and tell them Locked On sent you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You are Locked On Patriots, your daily New England Patriots podcast. Part of the Locked On Podcast Network, your team every day. Hello to all of you Foxborough faithful. You are now locked in to the Lockdown Patriots podcast. Today is Saturday, April 3rd, and because yesterday's conversation with our good friend the Pats cap himself, Miguel Benzon, was so nice, we decided it needed twice the airtime here on your daily home. For news, notes, and analysis infused with the occasional

opinion on your six-time Super Bowl champions, the New England Patriots. Pats Nation, thank you for joining me here on this special weekend edition of the Locked On Patriots podcast. My name is Mike DeBate, your host of Locked On Patriots, which of course is a proud part of the Locked On Podcast Network, your team every day. And folks, because it's your team every day, that means your questions, comments, and feedback are always welcomed and very much appreciated. So share that feedback, send it to the internet by reaching out to me and following me on

Twitter at MDABATEFPC. And while you're out there doing some weekend wandering through the Twitterverse, please be sure to follow the Locked On Patriots account as well at LO underscore Patriots. Again, Patriots Nation, it is a special weekend edition here of the Locked On Patriots podcast. And yesterday, I had the good fortune of being joined by the Wizard of Benzahn himself, my good friend the Pats cap,

Miguel Benzahn. And Miguel dropped all kinds of knowledge when it comes to the Patriots' current salary cap situation, how the spending they've done over the past couple of weeks will affect the upcoming 2021 season, and even ran down what the Patriots might do with that approximately $12.6 million in cap space that they currently have. Will they invest in signing more free agents, or will they try to put some of that capital into a trade, possibly for another quarterback? And we all know that the rumor train has been chugging along regarding the possibility of current Niners quarterback and former Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo finding his way back to Foxborough.

Well, if you missed yesterday's pod, I strongly recommend going back and listening to it. Miguel outlines the parameters of what a trade for Jimmy Garoppolo might look like from a Niners perspective and from a Patriots perspective. And if you're one of those Patriots fans that's holding out hope that the prodigal paisan might be returning to Foxborough anytime soon, well, Miguel might have just thrown a little cold water on the coals for you. Again, in Foxborough and in the realm of the NFL, anything and everything is possible, but Miguel did have some interesting financials to share with that, and I highly recommend checking out what he had to say.

But once again, Miguel was not finished with what he had to say. He's back for a second go-round here on Locked On Patriots, and today we'll be discussing the salary cap implications on the upcoming 2021 NFL Draft. This is a common misconception, question I get a lot here on Locked On Patriots. Exactly how much cap space do the Patriots need to sign their upcoming free agents, and how much cap space should they have available? Well, luckily for us, Miguel is the expert in this, and he has some valuable insight on the Patriots' current salary cap situation, what it means for signing the upcoming 2021

draft class, and also how much the Patriots will need to allocate to possibly bring in some undrafted rookie free agents. And we all know Bill Belichick loves his undrafted rookie free agents. Last but certainly not least, in a segment that is unique to Locked On Patriots, Miguel sets the record straight, and he definitely has some of those common cat myths floating around out there in his crosshairs. Recently, the Patriot spending spree has been targeted and criticized by a lot of prominent members of the media, both local and national, and Miguel is not happy about it.

He's got some very pointed, very candid comments, and folks, trust me, you will not want to miss this one. So, without much further ado, it is once again my honor to welcome my good friend the Pats Cap, Miguel Benzon, here to the hot seat. As we discussed, the Cap, the Draft, and Miguel setting the record straight on all those erroneous Cap reports out there when this weekend episode of the Locked On Patriots podcast continues. But first, Locked On listeners, my colleagues at the Locked On Podcast Network and I have been telling you about Built Bar, the best tasting protein bar on the market for a while now.

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Locked On listeners, get all the sports news you need in under 20 minutes with the Locked On Today podcast. Host Peter Bukowski updates you on the latest news in every major sport with the help of our local experts. Follow the Locked On Today podcast on the Odyssey app or wherever you get your podcasts. Folks, again, Miguel Benzon, the Pats cap himself, joins me here on the Locked On Patriots podcast. Insight you can only find here on Locked On Patriots, thanks to Miguel's great wisdom and counsel. But one of the most complicated and I think misinterpreted aspects of the salary cap for all teams in the NFL is the impact that the draft has on it. The effect of signing the draft class.

And there's a lot of speculation on exactly how much space is needed heading into the draft. That speculation varies and it varies a lot. But you said many times that if properly managed, the draft should not handicap the salary cap. Miguel, with the space that the Patriots have available, and we went over that in the previous segment, about $12.6 million approximately, how well are the Patriots set cap-wise heading into the 2021 NFL draft? They're great. They don't have to make a move.

They don't have to make a move because they have more enough cap space to sign the draft picks. And then, folks, then there's not a requirement. Because they have 12.6, and signing the draft picks. And then, folks, there's not a requirement. Because they have 12.6, and signing the draft class, their total

rookie pool right now, if they don't make any trades, is $10.3 million. But, let's remember the Rule 51, where we talked about earlier in the episode. Only two picks in the first. Only two picks will end up

the first round pick and the second round pick will end up being in the top 51 after they get signed. Remember, folks, there's not a requirement to sign a draft pick right after the draft.

So if a team doesn't have the cap space, they can wait until right before the start of training camp to create the cap space to sign their draft picks. No advantages gained by signing a draft pick early. No advantages lost by signing a draft pick right before the draft. All right? It's done in the new CBA where these deals are slotted.

Most teams get these deals done out of the way so they can go on summer break. Boom. But they don't lose. They don't gain an advantage. Patriots are not going to make them... Not one tackle is going to be made

or an extra tackle is going to be made on the field because you sign your draft picks right after the draft. You're not going to lose any draft picks game because you sign them in July. All right? Because the players are going to still attend all these sessions. They're going to sign a waiver saying if they get hurt, they're going to sign the same amount of deal if they were healthy. So the players are not going to lose out on any training, not going to miss any meetings.

So that's the fact. I want to get that out there. Because let's pretend, and folks, let's all pretend that the Patriots don't make any trades. It's only going to cost them $3.3 million in cap space to sign them as of now. And let's pretend the Patriots don't make any transactions between now and the time. And I'm saying this on two provisions, two provisos, excuse me. Patriots don't make any trades of the draft picks, and they don't make any transactions between now and then when they sign all the draft picks. All right?

Because let's look at the 7th round pick. He would have a cap number of $684,669. But, because of the rule of 50, because that cap number is not high enough to put him in the top 51, his $660,000

salary won't count against the cap. Because only a signing bonus probation will. Right? And that's going to be true for the two sixth round picks, the fifth round picks, the three fourth round picks, and the third round pick. Alright?

Only the signing bonus probation will count against the cap. For the second round pick, alright, he's going to displace a player with an $850,000 salary from the top 51 list. The first round pick is going to displace a player with a salary of $920,000 from the top 51 list. So the net is going to be 3.3 million because we're not including eight salaries. We're not including those salaries.

There's $6.6 million in salaries. They're already on either we're not counting them or they're already on the books. All right? So I'll say this. People ask me, do they have to have a lock? Do the Patriots have to have a lock on their cap because of these draft picks? No, because the NFL knows teams make trades. So they're not going to require to say, hey, Patriots,

you have to have, before you go into draft picks, you need to have a count minus $3.3 million on the cap space, and you have to be over that number. You can't be over that number. Can't be over that number. That doesn't work that way. So then the next inevitable question is, what if they make trades? Yes,

if they trade up, it's likely how much cap space they'll need will increase. But if they trade some of those picks, for example, they trade number two and three to move up in the first round, then you're not paying. You no longer

have two and three on your books, but you have an increased cap number for the first round pick. So there's a wash in that regard. And I'll say this about the undrafted free agents. The only part of their cap number that will come after they sign is their signing bonus parations.

And, folks, for most of the undrafted free agents, what the patrons do is give them a small signing bonus but guarantee a good sum portion of their salary. All right? And that salary, if they make the roster, it doesn't really matter if the salary is guaranteed because that guarantee goes away after a couple, two weeks of salary. Actually, now because of 17 games, it might take three weeks for them to have that salary guarantee go away. All right?

So they have more than enough space for the draft picks. I think I have – you got any questions, Mike, about that? Hopefully I answered that correctly. No, you've answered my questions, and I'm sure you've answered our listeners' questions as well. And, again, that is a common misconception among a lot of fans, media, all over the place about exactly how the cap space is going to be affected by the draft. And you've laid it space is going to be affected by the draft

and you've laid it out clearly whether it comes to the draft whether it comes to trading up the players that they're signing also the undrafted rookie free agents that they might be bringing in you always always are spot on when it comes to that and i thank you because that is something that is a common question that i get and only you can answer it the way it needs to be answered but i can do the best i can but you have a knack for doing that it's what you only you can answer it the way it needs to be answered, bud. I can do the best I can, but you have a knack for doing that. It's what you do, and you do it better than anybody. Patriots fans, I know you are enjoying the wisdom and counsel of my good friend, the Wizard of Benzón himself, the Pats cap Miguel Benzón. Amazing insight when it comes

to the relationship between the Patriots salary cap situation and the upcoming 2021 draft class. But we're not done yet, folks, because Miguel has yet to set the record straight. And trust me, you are not going to want to miss this one. Miguel's thoughts on what's right and what's wrong with salary cap conceptions when the Locked On Patriots podcast continues. But first, Locked On listeners, football games on the field may be over, but the NBA, college basketball, and the NHL are all in full swing, and Major League Baseball has officially kicked off its opening day.

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LockedOn listeners, are you ready for the NFL Draft? Well, join LockedOn NFL Draft hosts Trevor Sycamore and Benjamin Salik as they give you their latest positional rankings and analysis on 2021 draft prospects. Team-centric guest mocks are right around the corner as well. Follow the Locked On NFL Draft Podcast on the Odyssey app or wherever you get your podcasts. Patriots fans, it's the moment you've all been waiting for. Without further ado, the conclusion of my two-part discussion with Miguel Benzon in which he sets the record straight on all those erroneous cap reports

out there. And with that, we resume this episode of the Locked On Patriots podcast. And speaking of what you do better than anybody, bud, last but not least, one of my favorite parts of having you join me here on the pod is your ability to identify some of those erroneous cap reports out there, things that people believe, but not necessarily things they should be believing. In your infinite wisdom, Miguel, you either confirm or you debunk these myths. So the floor is yours, bud. Set the record straight. What is right and what is wrong when it comes to the Patriots' salary cap and the theories that are out there as we speak. Oh, my God, Mike.

Okay, so I – the people right before the draft, right before the free agency, there were people who said the Patriots are not going to spend any money, not going to sign any top free agents. And I'm just going to call them out. PFF, you got it wrong. You didn't think the Patriots would sign any of your top 50 free agents. All right?

But then you guys started, instead of saying you're wrong, you started spinning it. And so now you got Sam Monson saying, well, of course they're going to sign the players because they overpaid for them. You got PFF George saying the Patriots spent money like they were a target. Alright? So what I did was, I went back

and I looked at what PFF projected what the free agents would sign for. So I'm talking about Hunter Henry, General Smith, Cam Newton, Nelson Aguilar, David Andrews, Matthew Judon, James White, Kyle Van Noy, Dietrich White, Cam Newton, Nelson Aguilar, David Andrews, Matthew Judon, James White, Kyle Van Noy, Dietrich White, Henry Edison, Kendrick Bourne, Ted Karras, Lawrence Guy, Jalen Minns, and

McMillan. Okay? I looked at what they projected. So those 15 players, they projected they would sign deals that would have 36 total years. The total amount of those deals would be $293 million. And $165 million of that total would be guaranteed. So 56.5% of those deals would be guaranteed. All right? of those deals would be guaranteed. Alright? Patriots signed those 15

players deals that totaled 40 years. So four more years. For less money, $286 million. For less guaranteed money, $152.29 million.

So the percentage guaranteed percentage, was 53% for the Patriots deal, but they actually signed to what PFF projected, 56.5%. All right. And then they have those guys go out there and basically saying like,

hey, the Patriots overpaid, overpaid for these players as a whole when they projected those players would get more money than the Patriots actually paid them. That's not to say, so I'll give credit to Brad, who works for them,

that said the Patriots did above average in free agency. But do they tweet out as much about that above average grade in free agency as much as the negative out as much about that above-average free agency as much as the negative parts that they've done? No, they didn't. Because they know negativity sells on

Twitter. And that's what is shameful. I mean, I subscribe to PFF, and they probably listen to this, and they might just end my subscription, or block me on Twitter, but that's shameful for them to focus, to retweet the negative stuff

that they said, and not the positive stuff they said about the Patriots free agency. Especially if you look at what they projected these deals. For example, they said that Ted Karras would sign a two-year $8.5 million deal. He signed a one-year $3 million deal with the Patriots.

All right? They, you know, said David Andrews, they didn't like Nelson Aguilar. But, you know, Patriots paid more money than the PFF projected. But they focus on the players, the Patriots, what they consider overpaid. But they don't talk about what the Patriots got a bargain on, especially to the ones that they got a bargain on compared to, especially to the ones that they got, they gave a bargain on the players they signed.

Like I'm talking about Ted Karras, Lawrence Guy, like Cam Newton was about around the same thing. Oh, not Cam Newton, but you don't say Matthew Judon. They had him sign the four year, $68 million deal. Patriots signed him for $54.5 million. That drove, Mike, that just drove me crazy. I am just sorry. But, you know, so, and then you got into this thing about, yeah, the Patriots are doing this.

I'm like, that just drove me crazy, Mike. So I saved that. When you asked me on this, I started looking it up. Let me just use what they projected against what happened. And that just drove me crazy, Mike. And that's all I've got to say about it. People can pick and say they overpaid for Aguilar. They overpaid for Kendrick Bourne.

But as a whole, as a whole, the Patriots did well in free agency. All right? Then we started hearing, oh, man, they might affect their ability for the 2020-2022 cap. All right? I'm like, you've got to be kidding me, folks. All right? For A, no one knows what the 2022 cap is

so why are you right now no one knows what it is but to say that the Patriots are going to be over the cap or have cap concerns for 2022 is a bit much when the cap commitments for 2022 isn't close to 200 million dollars right now

and I'm like and the Patriots 2022 isn't close to $200 million right now. And I'm like, and the Patriots haven't really made that many moves to create cap space. So, it just drove me crazy, Mike, and I'll just say this. I find it fascinating that the person who started

saying the Patriots maybe should have concerns about the 2022, no longer says that. But he, you know, he changed his tune in a couple of days. But I don't think

he, I don't think, but he knew, I swear to him, Mike, he had the information the first day he wrote the tweet. He didn't really gain that much more, that many more seconds that should have changed his tweet. But he just realized, oh, I can't really say this and keep on saying this because I know it's not true anymore.

All right. Sorry, that's fine. No, and that's what we have you here for, in order to set the record straight. And I think you just did it, you know, honorably. And I think you did it with candor. I think you did it straight on and forward. But I also think you did it because it's spot on. And it's exactly what Patriots fans, and really, I think everyone that has questions

surrounding the Patriots salary cap, needed to hear. And I appreciate that insight because it gives Patriots fans not just an idea of what the Pats have done to set themselves up well for 2021, but also into the subsequent years as well. And the vision that you have when it comes to that, Bud, is remarkable to me. That's why I'm always in awe of your work. Thank you. Before we run out of time, I'd ask some people who donated to my chosen charity and who also listen to this show if they had some questions for me. So I figured I just want to see if we have time just to answer them. All right?

Absolutely. Okay, so one of the questions, and this is actually asked twice by two people, all right, about the future about Gilmore and J.C. Jackson. I think that they're going to extend them and create cap space. As for J.C. Jackson, I think he's going to play out the year, all right, and then they'll address the future in 2022, all right? What did he ask? So what are your expectations for the defense this year?

I expect them to be, they say healthy. I expect this to be a top five defense. Do I think they're going to use the first round pick on the draft? I'm leaning towards an offensive. If they don't trade up for a quarterback, I'm leaning for an offensive tackle because they need a need, not for 2021, but for future years. All right?

So let's start. Mike asks, do you believe the Patriots did deals that look aggressive in 2021 but will be considered bargains in 2023 when a new deal comes into play? I think that plays a part of it, how they structure the deals. But I also think that's what they do. I mean, they literally backload the deals. Anyways, I do think that having Robert Kraft on the TV committee helped them. I don't think it really – but a little, but not so much.

All right? I do think – he asked me about what I think about what the salary cap is going to be in 2022. I do think it's going to be around $200 million. And we'll see what happens in 2023. Folks, if they start allowing sports betting, there's going to be the cap that will go up big time. Reagan Smash asked me about income taxes. I don't think the... Agents maybe take into account the state income taxes, but

it doesn't look like it to me. And I really wouldn't... They make so much money, I don't think it's a big deal for them, for players. Someone asked me about Edelman. I hope he retires a Patriot. That's all I gotta say. I really do. Interesting question from Gemery. How will the 17-game season as a Patriot. That's all I got to say. I really do. Interesting

question from Jeremy. How will the 17-game season affect the contracts of the players who are about to be drafted? It has no impact for them. So literally, the rookies get screwed on these deals. So literally, they said to

in the 2020 CBA, they said, if we go to 17th game season this year in 2021, all right, and as long as you don't touch your deal, all right, you will get an additional game check in 2021, which we'll consider a benefit, all right? That benefit doesn't apply to rookies. Once again,

the owners and the existing players screw the rookies in the CPA. They do it all the time. They really do. They really do. Our friend John, who listens to this, he asked about the void years. I just don't think it's going to be a study thing of void years going forward.

I think it's just going to be a one-year thing. All right? And why do teams make – why do they do this to make contracts sound ridiculous like Taysom Hill? Because that's what the agents want. And I'm shameful that the reporters allow them to do it. That's another rant. I've done this again.

I think it's shameful how they report on deals. It would have helped me. For example, if they had accurate reporting, it would have helped me figure out James White's contract number right away. It was reported as $2.5 million fully guaranteed. If they knew it wasn't exactly $2.5 million. If they had said the exact number, so I would have figured it out. if they knew it wasn't exactly $2.5 million. If they had said the exact number, so I would have figured out that his deal had qualified for this new benefit,

and I would have lowered his cap, right? There was a lowered his cap down to $1.2 million. They announced it as, instead of being $.5, instead of 2.4625, that would have came to my head. Once he said 2.5, I said, oh, that's a bargain for him. I didn't even think about him possibly qualifying for that benefit. That's just a rant of mine. Oh, Chuck showed up to ask me a couple of questions.

I really – I'm going to have to do some research to answer them. JC – no, the questions are great. Chuck, I love them, but I don't have – I didn't have enough time between then when he asked them to look at all the answers. Jason McCurdy, do I think he'll re-sign? He's one of the players I do think is going to re-sign. But if he does, he's going to sign a deal that's going to probably qualify for the veteran's salary benefit. So his cap number

might be like just $987,500. So he might actually not even... You could sign Jason McCourty to that same deal, the Leroy Rendles deal, and just have a cap, a net loss of $137,500. All right. Okay, a girl, Claire, asked me about it would have been cheaper

to cut Lacoste and keep Izzo. Claire, it would have been cheaper. Patrons would have created more cap space if they did cut Lacoste. I do think he's getting cut. I also think it's either him or one of the third-round picks. They're not carrying five tight ends. Yeah, absolutely. No, because I think I answered most of John's questions

by answering everyone else's questions in an earlier episode. I mean, he did ask me about do I think the Patriots are going to – his last question was do I think the Patriots are going to have a winning season this year? As of now, I do. I think they make it to the playoffs. If they stay healthy, they should make it to the playoffs. Absolutely. Once again, how lucky are we, folks, to have Miguel Benzón set the record straight. He never, ever disappoints when his wisdom and counsel graces the airwaves here on Locked on Patriots,

I say it all the time, and I really could not be each and every time. I could not be more honored, more humbled to have you join me, my friend. Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to close out the week in style here on Locked on Patriots. Folks, Miguel, follow him on Twitter. One of the best Twitter follows you can ever hope for, at Patscap on Twitter. I call him the Top Gun.

He is the Top Gun. The plaque for the alternates, it doesn't exist because the man has no equal at doing what he does. But please let all of our listeners know what they can expect coming from you within the days and weeks. Anything else that you want to promote via your Twitter feed or whatever you have going on,

professionally or personally. And we really look forward to having you back on the pod here very soon. But the floor is yours, my friend. Please go ahead and let our listeners know where they can find you. I'm going to be on Twitter on Pat's Cap. I also have an Instagram at Pat's Cap. I just update the pictures that I tweet out. Folks, I'm going to be honest.

I don't know if I should bring back PatsCap.com. I'm trying to... The only reason I'm still on Twitter, folks, is to raise money for my charity. So if you could donate the money, go to my pinned tweet and donate the money. If I don't feel I can reach my goal by being on Twitter

and I have to go to patscap.com. Basically, I was just saying the patscap.com will just be, I'll just try to restrict the people who donate to me. I'd rather stay on Twitter because on Twitter, I have an international following and some of the

followers in Brazil and Germany. So I'm trying to stay on Twitter because I have such an international following. But if I have to go to having a patscat.com, I will do so because I really, there's a bucket list of items to help someone buy a house. It's really important to me for personal reasons. Do it to make it happen. So if you can, donate to my chosen charity.

Absolutely. And, folks, I can't recommend it highly enough. Having the great fortune of being able to call Miguel not only a colleague in Patriots Media but, most importantly, a friend, I can tell you there is not a more genuine heart that I know of in this business. Very few genuine hearts that I know that are as genuine as he in all of the aspects of life. His intentions with Habitat for Humanity and the causes that he so honorably advocates to me are worthy causes that comes directly from his heart. So I encourage you definitely if you're able to, and these are difficult times and we all understand that, but if you're able to,

everything that Miguel is providing and the wishes that he provides for people are genuine, sincere, and they're from the heart and it's a noble cause. So I encourage you and I thank you for taking and championing that cause for so many needy families and for particular needy families that really do need a home. And what you do is remarkable, my friend. So I'm happy to give you the platform here to be able to do it.

And you always have a home here at Locked on Patriots, no matter what you need, no matter where things take you in terms of sharing content. You know you can always come on here. We look forward to your rants, but most importantly, we look forward to... That's what we look forward to, folks. We look forward to the laugh. We need Miguel's laugh. I think we all need

more of Miguel's laugh in life, in all aspects, but no, all kidding aside, we look forward to your content, and we look forward to your spotlight analysis, buddy. Thank you so much. It cracks me up, but two things people say about me is my accent and my laugh. It cracks me up. Two things people say about me is my accent and my laugh. It cracks me up.

Some guy told me this in a bar one time. He said he could hear my laugh. It was in a noisy bar. I'm like, holy cow. It's great. It really is. It's infectious. It's uniquely yours And you know what? It's infectious. It's uniquely yours. And again, we're happy to have it here on Locked On Patriots.

Until the next time we have you on here, bud, stay safe, stay well, have a great weekend. And we look forward to talking more Patriots financials, maybe right in and around the draft, seeing how the Patriots are situated as we head toward the draft at the end of the month. But in the meantime, thanks a ton, bud. We always appreciate having you here. All right, you take care and God bless. And stay safe, everyone. Bye-bye.

Absolutely. You as well, bud. And so, Patriots Nation, we put a bow on the week that was here on the Locked On Patriots podcast. And again, I thank you all for taking time out to listen this week. Some great insight from our amazing guests like Thomas Murphy, Steve Balistrieri, Kevin Austriker, and of course, the Pats cap himself dropping knowledge to close out the weekend style.

But there is still plenty of Patriots coverage here to come as we march toward the draft at the end of the month. So to ensure that you do not miss a single second of the action, follow the Locked On Patriots podcast on platforms such as the Odyssey app, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, wherever you get your podcasts. Just make sure that you are staying locked in to Locked On Patriots. Once again, my name is Mike DeBate. I thank my good friend Miguel Benzon for his time, his insight,

and his appearance on not just one but two episodes of the pod this week, but most of all, I thank you so much for listening and for continuing to make Locked On Patriots a daily part of your New England Patriots coverage. Until Monday, Foxborough faithful, stay safe, stay well, always be the change you wish to see in the world. Have a great weekend, everyone.