The year 2023 NFL season season does now not start for a few-extra months, but the New-England Patriots are nevertheless-hurting from a loss they already had.
During an offseason that pretty much cemented the defense as New England’s strength, they had to say goodbye to linebacker Raekwon McMillan, who was put on injured reserve after partly tearing his Achilles during organized team activities.
On paper, it appears easy to deal with McMillan’s loss. There is sufficient excessive-capital skills, like Marte Mapu, who turned into picked in the 33 round of the 2023 draft. Bill Belichick, the pinnacle instruct of the Patriots, come to be excited to art work with McMillan’s abilties for a 2nd season after the 2019 Miami draft pick out came from the Las Vegas.
“Raekwon gave us a lot of versatility,” Belichick said this week, according to the Patriots’ official site. “
It became just a horrific-state of affairs, however he is young, so you know. When he came again from tearing his ACL a yr ago, I assume things went properly. He performed in every recreation besides one. I think he neglected together with his thumb or something, however hopefully he’ll be back.”
McMillan became one of the most important defenders on the begin of final season, but Ja’Whaun Bentley’s upward push at middle linebacker positioned him totally on special teams and the bench. Still, he finished the year with 35 tackles, five of which had been for losses, and the Patriots gave him a brand new deal in March.
Unfortunately for both companies, 27-year-old McMillan has been harm a lot at some point of his profession: ACL tears saved him out of his first season with the Dolphins after being picked within the second round in 2017. They also kept him out of his first season with the Patriots in the year of 2019.
