After their loss in Super Bowl 52, the New England Patriots were looking for ways to get better. This off-season figured to be tough, however, because of the number of players eligible to become free agents. The first move the Patriots made was getting offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels to return to the team. After agreeing to terms to become the next head coach for the Indianapolis Colts, McDaniels shocked the football world when he decided to stay with the Patriots.  The team did end up losing defensive coordinator Matt Patricia, who became head coach for the Detroit Lions.

The players on the field have changed as well. Malcolm Butler who didn’t play in the Super Bowl, signed with the Tennessee Titans, as did running back Dion Lewis. Danny Amendola joined the Miami Dolphins and left tackle Nate Solder signed with the Giants. All were part of Super Bowl-winning teams and were loved by Patriot Nation.

The acquisitions made by the Patriots were quiet, but still enough to keep them a favorite in the AFC. They traded for defensive line Danny Shelton and defensive back Jason McCourty, twin brother of Devin. To further beef up the defense, the Pats added lineman Adrian Clayborn. These moves should help a Patriots defense that gave up 41 points in the Super Bowl. On the other side of the ball, the Patriots added running back Jeremy Hill and wide receiver/kick returner Cordarrelle Patterson as weapons this year.

The Patriots have been very busy this off-season and, with the draft still to come, there will likely be more moves to improve the team.