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For the first time in a couple of decades, the New England Patriots need a quarterback. That much we know, as Tom Brady shocked the NFL world by bolting the Patriots to join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The bad news for the Patriots is that their free-agent quarterback options are dwindling, as both Philip Rivers and Teddy Bridgewater are off the market, leaving New England to look at options such as Jameis Winston and, if the Pats want to explore the trade market, possibly Cam Newton.
Of course, the Patriots can always turn to Jarrett Stidham, who some think is their signal-caller of the future.
But instead of talking about who New England's next quarterback will be, why don't we discuss some of the club's other issues? And believe me: there are more than just one.
For example, let's talk about the Pats' receiving corps.
Other than signing the unproven Damiere Byrd on Tuesday, the Patriots have done nothing to address their gaping holes at wide receiver and tight end.
I don't care who Bill Belichick decides to put under center: it's not going to matter unless he has some targets to throw to, and outside of Julian Edelman and running back James White, New England doesn't have any reliable pass-catchers.
Sure, N'Keal Harry has potential, but he didn't even get a chance to show it during his rookie campaign due to an ankle injury that sidelined him for most of the year.
Mohamed Sanu was once a decent option for the Atlanta Falcons, but he was a bust for the Pats after they acquired him at the trade deadline this past season, and he could be on the verge of a decline.
Let's not even get started on the club's tight end situation.
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And the problem is, there aren't a whole lot of options left for the Patriots.
Amari Cooper, A.J. Green and Randall Cobb are all off the market. Austin Hooper signed a massive deal with the Cleveland Browns. Hunter Henry was franchise tagged. Heck, DeAndre Hopkins passed them by.
Really, all that's left are names such as Robby Anderson, Emmanuel Sanders and Eric Ebron, and Anderson may end up re-signing with the New York Jets while the Dallas Cowboys seem to be closing in on Sanders.
New England can always add some receiving talent through the draft, but that's what the Pats did last year when they took Harry in the first round, and we saw how that worked out in Year 1.
To be fair, not every receiver is going to get hurt in preseason like Harry did, and this upcoming draft class is one of the deepest we have seen in quite some time at wideout, but you can't always depend on rookies to save you.
The Patriots need to do something at wide receiver and/or tight end in free agency. There is no way they can go into 2020 with White—a backup running back—representing their second-best pass-catcher.
By now, we should know to trust Belichick, but he certainly seems to be dragging his feet here.
