The deadline for NFL teams to use their franchise or transition tags came and went Tuesday afternoon.
The Patriots did not use either, so Trey Flowers, Trent Brown, Stephen Gostkowski and the rest of the New England's veteran players with expired contracts are set to hit unrestricted free agency next week.
The Boston Globe looks at New England choosing not to use its franchise tag. The Globe Patriots notebook has rookie running back Sony Michel talking about his first season in Foxborough – a successful one from both a team and personal perspective. Globe columnist Chris Gasper writes that turnover on the coaching staff won’t be a culture shock in New England.
The Boston Herald has its take on the Patriots deciding not to use the franchise tag and Flowers getting set to hit the open market. The Herald has Michel discussing his goals for 2019. The Herald notes Rob Gronkowski and swimsuit model girlfriend Camille Kostek, among other stars, enjoying some time in Mexico.
The Providence Journal has its story on New England not using its franchise tag.
ESPNBoston.com has free-agent-WR-to-be Phillip Dorsett looking for a chance to be a starter.
WEEI.com says it doesn’t seem likely the Patriots would trade for Cardinals second-year quarterback Josh Rosen, but it's not impossible. WEEI.com writes that Michel still can’t believe the Patriots won the Super Bowl.
NBC Sports Boston also writes that the Patriots trading for Rosen feels like a long shot. NBC Sports Boston has its no-tag story.
NFL.com recaps the franchise tag deadline from a league wide perspective. NFL.com updated its list of top 101 free agents, with Flowers coming in at No. 3 overall. NFL.com has analyst Daniel Jeremiah's second mock draft, with Clemson edge player Clelin Ferrell going to the Patriots at No. 32. NFL.com includes the Patriots among five teams that make sense as trade destinations for Rosen.
NESN.com writes that Dorsett should “prove too costly to retain” for the Patriots.
