The New England Patriots fell short in their bid to repeat as Super Bowl champions, losing to the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship. As they enter the offseason, you can bet Bill Belichick will do everything he can to improve the team before the 2016 season. For the Patriots, a lot of that improvement can be internal. Specifically, keeping linebacker Jamie Collins, who is entering the final year of his contract, will go a long way in putting New England back into a position to compete for a title.
ESPN NFL Insider Field Yates believes the team will soon start planning an extension for the talented young linebacker.
"The do-it-all linebacker is everywhere for the Patriots; he is instinctive in the running game, a gifted athlete who can cover space as a pass defender and a tremendous blitzer (as proven by his 7.5 sacks in 14 games this season, including the playoffs)," Yates wrote. "Collins is the type of linebacker who doesn't need to leave the field because of his complementary skill set, and he has strong on-ball production to boot. He hasn't yet hit his peak as a player and is a Swiss Army knife upon whom defensive coordinator Matt Patricia and coach Bill Belichick can rely. With fellow 'backer Don't'a Highhtower, defensive end Chandler Jones and cornerback Malcolm Butler also entering the final year of their deals this offseason, the Patriots would be wise to think ahead to try to keep all of them. Organizationally, they have managed the cap to open the door to such a possibility."
Collins, 26, racked up 89 tackles, 5.5 sacks, five forced fumbles and one interception in 12 regular-season games this year. Though he has only appeared in a full 16-game schedule once in his career, he has remained durable enough that the Patriots should feel comfortable about locking him up long-term. Ultimately, his production speaks for itself. He has quietly become one of the better linebackers in the league and is a playmaker for a defense that finished ninth in yards allowed per game (339.4) and tenth in points (19.7) this year.
Belichick knows better than most that drafting, developing and keeping good players is the best approach to take in the NFL. Expect Collins to remain in New England.
