“If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em.”

Armed with the most cap space in the NFL, the New England Patriots have a prime opportunity to put that motto into practice by poaching a key player away from the division-rival Buffalo Bills.

Described by Josh Allen as “the best third-down back in the league,” veteran Ty Johnson is scheduled to hit free agency. The 27-year-old caught 18 passes for 284 yards and three touchdowns in 2024, adding another 213 yards and one touchdown as a ball carrier.

Since entering the league as a sixth-round pick in 2019, Johnson has totaled 111 receptions for 1,014 yards and seven scores. He’s also averaged 4.6 yards on 279 carries, adding five more touchdowns on the ground.

Of course, the Patriots already have a clear-cut starter in Rhamondre Stevenson. Although the bruising back had a disappointing 2024 campaign, he should enjoy a resurgent season with Josh McDaniels calling plays, and the front office expected to address the offensive line via free agency and the draft.

However, New England doesn’t have a clear-cut answer behind Stevenson, who isn’t exactly the ideal guy you want on the field on third downs. While Antonio Gibson performed well down the stretch, New England could use depth and competition at the position.

Could Johnson be the solution? 

The Boston Sports Journal’s Mike Giardi certainly thinks so, as he put Johnson as his No. 1 choice for a James White replacement. White, of course, played an instrumental role in the latter half of the Patriots dynasty, serving as one of Tom Brady’s most trusted targets while also providing excellent blitz pick-up skills.

“We know McDaniels loves to incorporate third-down backs into the offensive equation. Johnson is the best one available in free agency. Not only that, but you’d be stealing him from Buffalo, the team that now dominates the AFC East,” Giardi wrote. 

According to Spotrac, Johnson’s market value is two years, $5.385 million. That’s a feasible number even for a Patriots team that already has two backs set to count about $10 million against the cap in 2025. Plus, the Bills are projected to be $14.2 million over the cap, which could prevent them from retaining Johnson.

Meanwhile, adding the reliable dual-threat back to the mix would give McDaniels tremendous flexibility to take advantage of matchup advantages, especially if the wide receivers provide some semblance of production this season.

And with the ultra-competitive Mike Vrabel running the show, what better way to announce your return home than by stealing a key weapon away from the defending AFC East champions of the last five years?

It’ll take a whole lot more than bringing in a highly respected third-down back to topple the Bills from their throne, but after two disastrous seasons (and offseasons) in a row, the Patriots just need to hit some singles and doubles first.