Amid a trio of flashy offseasons in the AFC East, the Patriots have been amassing a quiet contender. On Monday afternoon, their candidacy as a surprise playoff candidate and potential division winner in 2023 got a little louder.
Far be it from me to overrate the impact of one running back signing, especially a 28-year-old with high mileage whose former team doesn’t want him anymore, but bringing in Ezekiel Elliott by the Patriots is more than just a high-profile gap filler. Yes, one could technically label Elliott as running back depth. But he is also a kind of finishing piece that helps the Patriots complete themselves as a ball-control, defense-dominant team that may end up being the antidote and complete antithesis to the other big-play dependent offenses in the division.
Think of Elliott as the jacket that pulls the outfit together. Now, it’s time to invite the Patriots to the party.
