First Things First co-host Kevin Wildes delivered a scathing take on the one-sided approach to free agency and roster-building taken by the New England Patriots and Cincinnati Bengals.
NFL Analyst Fires Shots at Patriots and Bengals for Ignoring One Side of the Ball
In a post on X, Wildes criticized the Patriots’ and Bengals’ lopsided strategies in free agency, stating that the two franchises are engaged in a “battle to see who can have the most unbalanced team.”
Patriots and Bengals locked in a battle to see who can have to most unbalanced team.
— Wildes (@kevinwildes) March 17, 2025
Both teams have been slammed for addressing only one side of the ball instead of making team-wide improvements. While New England has focused on revamping its defense, Cincinnati has prioritized keeping its high-powered offense intact.
Patriots Get Defensive While Offense Takes a Back Seat
New England’s new coaching staff, led by defensive-minded Mike Vrabel, has aggressively targeted defense in free agency. Notable signings include defensive tackle Milton Williams, edge rusher Harold Landry, cornerback Carlton Davis III, and linebacker Robert Spillane.
However, the Patriots’ plan to improve their struggling offense has been underwhelming. In PFSN’s 2024 Offensive Rankings, New England ranked 26th with a D grade.
The team added veteran tackle Morgan Moses and guard Wes Schweitzer to help protect Drake Maye, along with wide receiver Mack Hollins, who finished 87th out of 98 receivers in PFF’s grades. They also re-signed tight end Austin Hooper to pair with Hunter Henry.
Landing a top-tier running back and wide receiver would give Patriots fans more optimism and help prevent the defense from wearing down over the course of the season.
Bengals Go on the Offensive While Defense Declines
On the other side, the Bengals have focused on keeping their high-powered offense intact, led by Joe Burrow and star receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Chase and Higgins have secured lucrative deals, making them among the highest-paid non-quarterbacks in the NFL. While this ensures the Bengals’ offense remains elite, it also allocates a significant portion of their salary cap to just a few players.
In PFSN’s 2024 Defensive Rankings, Cincinnati ranked 28th with a D grade. As a result, the front office fired defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, defensive line coach Marion Hobby, and linebackers coach James Bettcher.
Weeks later, the team hired Notre Dame defensive coordinator Al Golden, whose defense tied for fourth in scoring defense in college football, allowing just 15.5 points per game.
However, the Bengals haven’t made any major moves to improve their defense. They re-signed defensive lineman B.J. Hill, but edge rusher Trey Hendrickson requested a trade, and Sam Hubbard retired. The team released Sheldon Rankins after he missed 10 games, while linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither signed with the Arizona Cardinals.
Notable additions include linebacker Oren Burks and defensive lineman T.J. Slaton. Burks earned an 83 overall grade from PFF, ranking 13th out of 189 linebackers, while Slaton graded among the lower-tier interior defensive linemen.
What Lies Ahead for Patriots and Bengals Amid Free Agency Criticism
The 2025 NFL Draft will be crucial for both teams. With the fourth overall pick, the Patriots are in position to address their offensive needs, but multiple mock drafts have them selecting Travis Hunter, widely considered the best cornerback in the class and a top-tier wide receiver prospect.
While Hunter has expressed his desire to play both offense and defense, most NFL analysts believe his primary role will be on defense.
The Bengals hold a mid-round pick and will likely target defensive help. Most mock drafts project them selecting Georgia edge rusher Mykel Williams.
In his 3-round mock, PFSN’s Marco Enriquez wrote:
“Mykel Williams still needs development to reach his full potential, but his physical traits are already NFL-caliber. He combines speed and power to generate pressure off the edge. His length is ideal for an edge rusher, and he has the prototypical size to win at the next level.”
Joe DeLeone’s 7-round mock for PFSN added:
“Mykel Williams was a highly productive run defender at Georgia thanks to his bend and brute strength. He has the athletic traits to develop into a disruptive pass rusher as well in the NFL.”
Though the initial reaction to their free agency moves has been unfavorable, New England and Cincinnati still have the NFL Draft to bring more balance to their rosters.
With months to go before the start of the 2025 season, both franchises have time to reshape their teams. Most importantly, fans will see the Patriots’ projected top-five defense face off against the Bengals’ top-ranked offense in Cincinnati during the regular season.