The New England Patriots' terrible offseason continues. Linebacker Brandon Spikes was released by the team today after his Maybach was found abandoned at the scene of an accident on a Foxborough highway. Authorities believe Spikes fled the scene of an accident at 3:30 a.m. Sunday after the driver allegedly struck a deer.

There are reports of another vehicle in the same area of the abandoned Mercedes Maybach reporting that they were rear-ended, although authorities are still determining whether the two accidents are connected.

Spikes' return to the Patriots was a surprise since his first departure was acrimonious. He had strong words for Patriots coach Bill Belichick, but had clearly mended fences. Spikes signed a one-year contract worth up to $2 million and said "We can clearly see that me and 'The Hoodie' kissed and made up. I'm here, that's in the past, and I'm moving on."

Spikes is no stranger to controversy. He has been investigated by the NFL for a questionable video with a woman, and has been previously suspended four games for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy.

The Patriots have also been battered this offseason as well. Former star player Aaron Hernandez was sentenced to life in prison without possibility of parole for murdering former friend Odin Lloyd. He also faces charges in a 2012 double-homicide in Boston, and a separate shooting that left a man named Alexander Bradley without the use of one eye.

The Patriots were also embroiled in the lengthy "Deflategate" scandal in which it was determined that it was "more probable than not" that quarterback Tom Brady conspired with equipment personnel to tamper with game balls and deflate them to below the acceptable PSI. Brady was suspended four games, and the team was fined $1 million, and docked a first round pick in 2015.

[ESPN]