Report: Patriots won't tag Flowers, Brown, Gostkowski

The New England Patriots won't use the franchise tag on defensive end Trey Flowers, left tackle Trent Brown, or kicker Stephen Gostkowski, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter and Field Yates.

All three players were considered prime candidates to be tendered. Barring contract extensions over the next week, the trio will hit free agency as three of the top available players at their respective positions.

Flowers figures to attract the most interest on the open market after solidifying himself last season as one of the better edge defenders in the league. The 25-year-old posted 57 tackles and 7.5 sacks while helping New England surge to Super Bowl LIII glory.

Brown, also 25, will be in demand after thriving at left tackle in his first campaign with the Patriots. The former San Francisco 49er was particularly effective in the playoffs, shutting down vaunted pass-rushers from the Los Angeles Chargers, Kansas City Chiefs, and Los Angeles Rams.

Gostkowksi, 35, has spent his entire career in New England, winning three Super Bowl championships. The four-time Pro Bowler went 27-for-32 on field-goal attempts in 2018.