For better or worse, the New England Patriots were one of the busier teams over the first three-plus days of NFL free agency.
The Patriots didn’t make any splash signings, and they missed out on receiver Calvin Ridley, who got way too much money from the Tenessee Titans. But New England did sign a slew of internal and external free agents — and we have thoughts on the moves.
Lingering Thoughts on Each Patriots Move in NFL Free Agency
Most of New England’s deals are official, but we’re still waiting on the full details for a few. Regardless, let’s do this in quickie form.
QB Jacoby Brissett
Terms: One year, $8 million
Signing Brissett makes all the sense in the world, and also signals the Patriots will select a quarterback early in the 2024 NFL Draft. He’ll hold the fort down if the rookie isn’t ready after training camp, and he also won’t complain if he’s forced to be a backup all season. Plus, he has experience in New England.
Still, you could make a case the Patriots should’ve targeted Gardner Minshew, who went to the Las Vegas Raiders, as their bridge quarterback. He’s a better player than Brissett, and the fans would’ve loved him.
OL Mike Onwenu
Terms: Three years, $57 million
Some pundits are saying the Patriots overpaid for Onwneu, who’s an excellent guard and above-average right tackle. We flat-out disagree.
There was a world in which Onwneu, who fired his agents shortly before free agency, landed a massive deal on the open market. Instead, the Patriots retained their top internal free agent at a fair price, and in doing so solidified the right side of their Offensive line. Now, they just need a left tackle.
RB Antonio Gibson
Terms: Three years, $11.25 million
Solid move. The Patriots have sorely needed a true pass-catching back since James White suffered a career-ending hip injury early in the 2021 season. Gibson isn’t dynamic, but he’ll fill this role at a reasonably high level while serving as a surprisingly capable blocker.
EDGE Anfernee Jennings
Terms: Three years, $12 million
Jennings went from hardly playing over his first three seasons to taking on a huge role in 2023 after Matthew Judon suffered a season-ending biceps injury. The 2020 third-round pick emerged as arguably the Patriots’ most trusted run stuffer on the edge, which he sets better than anyone on the team.
Jennings also brings physicality and tenacity to a defense trying to establish a new identity.
TE Hunter Henry
Terms: Three years, $30 million
The Patriots had no choice but to make this move. Bill Belichick left the cupboard dry at tight end, and Henry was the top option left on the market after Dalton Schultz re-signed with the Houston Texans.
Is this an overpay? Maybe. But Henry is a leader in the locker room and should serve as a trusted red-zone target for a rookie QB.
LB Sione Takitaki
Terms: Two years, $10 million
Takitaki essentially will replace Mack Wilson, who surprisingly left New England to join the Arizona Cardinals. He’s a relative unknown, but he has a reputation for being a smart linebacker who’s great in coverage.
Just look at these numbers from Next Gen Stats:
Sione Takitaki recorded a 72.0% coverage success rate last season, highest among linebackers with at least 25 targets.
The Patriots did not have a single LB with a coverage success rate higher than 50.0% last season (min. 15 targets).#ForeverNE https://t.co/9KWjoSvXic pic.twitter.com/MwJLkbhkAq
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats)
EDGE Josh Uche
Terms: One year, $3 million
This still is a head-scratcher. Yes, Uche’s sack totals dipped from 11.5 in 2022 to just three in 2023, but he still was an efficient pass rusher on a per-snap basis — and he’s just 25 years old. He should’ve gotten way more in free agency.
Uche reportedly turned down a two-year, $15 million offer ($11 million guaranteed) from another team, but we’re not buying it. There’s no way that his love for the Patriots is so strong that he’s willing to leave $9 million on the table.
TE Austin Hooper
Terms: One year, $4.25 million
It’s a fine signing. You could’ve made a case for re-signing Pharaoh Brown, who went to the Seattle Seahawks, but Hooper probably is the better player. Plus, he has experience playing for Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt.
Is he the player he once was with the Atlanta Falcons? Not even close. But he still is a decent receiving threat and a strong blocker.
WR Kendrick Bourne
Terms: Three years, $33 million
The details matter here, as Bourne is guaranteed just under $5 million. So, really, this is a year-by-year deal for a receiver coming off a torn ACL.
Nevertheless, it could prove to be a great value for the Patriots if Bourne can pick up where he left off in 2023 when he was putting together a career season.
WR Kendrick Bourne: 3 years, base value $19.5 million, maximum value $33 million
Signing bonus: $4.2 million
2024
Base salary: $1.3m*
Roster bonus: $850k ($50k per game)
Workout bonus: $150k
Incentives: up to $5.5m (receiving yards etc.)2025
Base salary: $5.5m**
Roster…— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss)
S Kyle Dugger
Terms: One year, $13.8 million (transition tag)
Technically, other teams still can negotiate with Dugger and offer him a new contract. If Dugger receives an offer sheet, the Patriots would have the opportunity to match or allow him to walk for zero draft compensation.
Regardless, given how things have played out on the safety market, this probably is the best deal Dugger can get. Honestly, it might even be an overpay for the Patriots, who’ll try to hammer out a long-term deal before next season.
OT Chukwuma Okorafor
Terms: One year, $4 million
Okorafor likely will be brought in to compete with Calvin Anderson for the top swing tackle job. Anderson has one year left on his contract after missing all of last season due to a still-mysterious illness.
Okorafor made 48 starts for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 2020 through 2022, though he started just seven games last season. He’s got some upside and still is just 26 years old.
DT Armon Watts
Terms: One year, salary unknown
Watts likely was signed to replace the ever-underappreciated Lawrence Guy, who was released before free agency. Christian Barmore now is ready for an every-down role, but the Patriots still need depth on the defensive line. This could be a class under-the-radar signing that looks much better a year from now.
G Nick Leverett
Terms: One year, salary unknown
The Patriots have devoted a ton of draft capital to interior linemen in recent years, but the injury to Cole Strange left them searching for more insurance. Strange suffered a serious knee injury late in the season, and sources indicate he might not be ready in time for training camp.
Leverett probably is a backup, but he started 10 games at guard for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2022. If nothing else, he’ll provide competition for sophomore Atonio Mafi.
WR Jalen Reagor
Terms: One year, $1.3 million
Why not? Reagor’s speed is real — especially on kick returns — and he broke out with some incredible plays in the season finale. Yes, he’s a bust, and the best-case scenario is he sticks as the No. 5 receiver, but there basically is no risk to this deal.
QB Nathan Rourke
Terms: One year, salary unknown
The former CFL quarterback joined the Patriots late in the season after being released by the Jacksonville Jaguars. He actually served as the top backup over Mac Jones in the season finale. Rourke has virtually zero chance of making the 53-man roster, but if he impresses during camp, he could earn a spot on the practice squad.
DB Alex Austin
Terms: One year, salary unknown
Austin made some nice plays after joining the Patriots late in the season, including intercepting former teammate Josh Allen in Week 17. He’s got some talent, but New England’s cornerback room will be in a bad way if he makes the roster.
OT Tyrone Wheatley Jr.
Terms: One year, salary unknown
It’s easy to forget about Wheatley, whom the Patriots acquired via trade with the Cleveland Browns before Week 1. A collegiate tight end who now is a developmental tackle, Wheatley missed most of the season due to a knee injury. He also still hasn’t played a single offensive snap over his two NFL seasons.
And yet, he’s worth keeping an eye on. Some of Wheatley’s tape is encouraging; some of it is very rough. But he’s got the traits to be a good tackle if he can stay healthy and take to the coaching.
LB Christian Elliss
Terms: One year, salary unknown
The Belichick era is over, but there still is room for core special teamers in New England. Elliss was claimed by the Patriots in December after he was released by the Philadelphia Eagles, and he wound up seeing 87 special teams snaps in four games.
How Should Patriots Fans Feel About New England’s Free Agency Performance?
Some fans probably are disappointed in the Patriots, especially after head coach Jerod Mayo said the franchise was ready to “burn some cash” this offseason. And it’s true that New England’s significant salary cap space forecasted splash signings.
However, the Patriots, led by de facto general manager Eliot Wolf, actually have done a really nice job.
They’ve been methodical and purposeful with their moves. They retained most of their top internal free agents on fair deals and allowed expendable players, such as Wilson and Jalen Mills, to join other teams. The Patriots also cut ties with receiver DeVante Parker and finally traded embattled quarterback Mac Jones.
Would a Ridley signing have been fun to talk about? Yeah, but New England was wise to not match Tennessees’s offer. $50 million guaranteed is far too much money for Ridley. Plus, the Patriots still can target quality receivers on the free agent and trade markets.
Of course, this all is building toward the draft and what New England will do with the No. 3 overall pick. If you followed Wolf during his time in Green Bay, or are familiar with the work of his father, legendary Packers executive Ron Wolf, you know the focus will be on executing in the draft rather than making headlines in free agency.
And that’s fine. The Patriots are trying to balance strategic rebuilding with staying competitive and relevant. It’s a thin line to walk, but making moves just for the sake of it won’t get them any closer to the finish line.
KEEP READING: 2024 Free Agents by Position
So, relax, and let the Patriots do their thing. There’s a ton of offseason left.
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