After getting released by the Kansas City Chiefs following failed trade deals, cornerback Brandon Flowers is starting to heat up the free agency market with training camp right around the corner. He is currently the best player available right now, released simply for available salary cap space. After taking an official visit to the San Diego Chargers, what other teams are starting to show interest in Flowers?
According to The Baltimore Sun's Aaron Wilson, the New England Patriots are taking serious interest in Flowers. Normally not ones to make a splash in the offseason with marquee signings, the team is starting to get greedy in the secondary. The Patriots made a blockbuster move at the start of the offseason by signing Darrelle Revis to a one-year contract. They also added Brandon Browner into the mix that already included Alfonzo Dennard, Logan Ryan and Kyle Arrington.
The Patriots are "in the mix" for Flowers according to the publication. Head coach Bill Belichick is reportedly dreaming of a tag team between Revis and Flowers which would give New England one of the best secondaries in the league. With Revis signed for just the one season, the Patriots could be loading up on options incase someone does not work out.
The Patriots are not the only ones taking a look at Flowers. The New York Jets are also keeping an eye on the cornerback. Normally known for their shutdown defense, the Jets have had secondary issues ever since trading away Revis to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. New York drafted Dee Milliner to take over the role, but he suffered his share of rookie struggles in his first year and the Jets may be looking for other options. Head coach Rex Ryan is not ruling the idea out.
"I'm happy with what we have, but I'm not going to shut the door on any player that we think could possibly help our football team," Ryan said, via ESPN.com. "We'll certainly look at it, for sure."
Without Flowers, the Jets backfield will likely consist of Milliner who is nursing a hamstring injury and Dexter McDougle and Dimitri Patterson. They will join rookie Calvin Pryor and Kyle Wilson. Ryan is confident the players currently on the roster can be trusted this season, but if Flowers hangs on the market a little longer then New York will make a move.
Flowers can still contribute. At 28, the cornerback still has plenty of quality years ahead of him. Flowers is just three years removed from signing a five-year, $50 million contract with the Chiefs and was simply released because the team is currently in negotiations with quarterback Alex Smith and are in need for financial flexibility to get a deal done.
