Adding along the edge was known to be a priority for the Patriots early in free agency. It has not taken long for a deal to be worked out on that front.
Dre’Mont Jones is heading to New England, NFL insider Jordan Schultz reports. This will be a three-year, $39MM pact, he adds. A strong showing split between two teams in 2025 has resulted in a notable payday for Jones. The max value of this New England pact is $39.5MM, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network; he adds $14.5MM will be paid out in the first year.
Jones has never garnered more than 800 defensive snaps in any of his seven NFL seasons, but he’s still proven to be a reliable pass-rusher when he’s on the field. He’s compiled at least 3.5 sacks each year of his career, including 18 total sacks with the Broncos between 2020 and 2022. That run earned him a three-year contract with the Seahawks in 2023. After tallying only 8.5 sacks between 2023 and 2024, the Seahawks moved on before the final year of Jones’ contract.
He inked a one-year, $10MM prove-it deal with the Titans last offseason and was productive in nine starts, collecting 26 tackles and 4.5 sacks. He was traded to the Ravens in November for a conditional fifth-round pick, and he proceeded to add another 2.5 sacks down the stretch for his new squad. He ultimately finished the year ranked 64th among 119 qualifying edge defenders on Pro Football Focus’ positional rankings.
The Patriots were a clear suitor for a pass rusher after finishing this past year without a 10-sack player. Harold Landry joined the Patriots via a similar deal last offseason and paced New England with 8.5 sacks. Landry’s knee injury may be a concern heading into 2026, so Jones could help soak up any necessary snaps. Jones may also be a potential replacement for K’Lavon Chaisson, who is hitting free agency following his 7.5-sack showing in 2025.
Adam La Rose contributed to this post.
Wow that’s a lot of money.
He has been a solid pass rusher since he moved to the edge, though.
Pats have the cap space though. Might as well use it. They have a lot of work to do to make sure they arent a flash in the pan.
Still spending only on defense lol
This FA class is awful especially on offense
Solid signing. Vrabel feels like someone who will know what to do with him. Very different player, but wild to me that he gets so much less than a guy like Kinlaw got a year ago.
They cut Diggs for this clown well the WR room and OL is still trash
This has nothing to do with Diggs. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Solid signing, I’m hoping a brown deal materializes in next few days
No thanks. Too pricey for a guy quickly turning into another Mack Hollins type.
Great another useless stiff from the titans hey Vrabel there’s a reason you got fired in Tennessee stop bringing ur trash to the Pats
This going to be a garbage offseason for the pats they will become just like. The Red Sox’s The Interest Kings