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BY TYLER SULLIVAN
December 31, 2018
Trey Flowers has positioned himself to make a lot of money this offseason.
The Patriots pass rusher put the finishing touches on what was a career year, just months before he steps into free agency for the first time. In New England's 38-3 win over the Jets in the regular season finale, Flowers was able to total six tackles and a sack. That sack brought the 25-year old to 7.5 on the season, a new career high. He also finished the regular season with 57 tackles and three forced fumbles.
“I get better each and every year, but for me it’s not all about the numbers," Flowers said Sunday. "It’s about how I affect the game as far as helping my team win. Anytime I can create plays to put my team in position to win, I’m all for that.”
While he may not focus on the numbers, they certainly will help him as he looks for a lucrative deal on the open market. After wrapping up his rookie deal this year, Spotrac projects Flowers to earn a contract in the range of five years that pays him over $15 million annually. If that is the case, it does seem unlikely the Patriots will open up their wallets that much for him, but that's a conversation for another time.
Now, Flowers will simply look to help New England during their playoff march which will begin following their first round bye.
“It’s one of the things that we can allow ourselves to recoup physically and mentally," the pass rusher said of earning the bye. "It’s just an extra week to get ourselves together and that’s always important.”
The Patriots defense is also coming into the postseason pretty hot after allowing just 15 points in their final two games.
“It’s definitely coming together," Flowers said of the defensive unit. "It’s one of the things that we have to build ourselves on and it starts in practice. We go from the practice field and bring it to the game field with execution on Sundays. It’s just one of the deals that you have to play your top football at this point of the season going against some great teams. You’re going to have to be able to execute well on Sundays.”
While the Patriots will certainly enjoy Flowers' presence on the field for this stretch run, it does look like this may be something of a swan-song for him in a New England uniform.
The Patriots will begin their playoff run on Sunday, January 13 at 1:05 p.m. when they host their AFC Divisional Round game against either the Texans, Ravens or Chargers.
