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New England Patriots News & Rumors

Patriots Place Second-Round Tender On J.C. Jackson

March 17th, 2021 at 2:44pm CST by Andrew Ortenberg

The Patriots waited until the last minute, but they’re tendering J.C. Jackson. New England has placed the second-round tender on the restricted free agent cornerback, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network tweets.

This one is interesting since many people had expected the Pats to place the first-round tender on Jackson. The second-round tender is worth around $3.4MM in 2021 while the first-round tender is worth around $4.8MM. Rapoport writes that Jackson “could see action in the RFA market,” which as he notes is pretty rare. But Jackson isn’t any old restricted free agent.

He played like one of the league’s better corners this past season, so Bill Belichick took a bit of a gamble here. If any team does decide to sign Jackson to an offer sheet, the Patriots would either match it, or let him walk and collect a second-round pick from that team. A first-round tender would’ve ensured he’s back in New England in 2021, but it’s not totally out of the question that a team would be willing to forfeit a second-rounder for him.

An UDFA out of Maryland in 2018, Jackson has been Belichick’s latest diamond in the rough find. He started five games as a rookie, and has shown tremendous ballhawking skills.

In 2018 he picked off three passes while only playing less than 38 percent of the defensive snaps. In 2019 he picked off five while only playing 68 percent. This past season he played 84 percent of the snaps, and intercepted a whopping nine passes, the second-most in the league. He also had 14 passes defended and three fumble recoveries.

Patriots To Sign Ted Karras

March 17th, 2021 at 11:37am CST by Zachary Links

Ted Karras is returning to the Patriots, as Jeff Howe of The Athletic tweets. Once finalized, it’ll be a one-year, $4MM deal for the veteran center, according to NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero (on Twitter). 

Karras joined the Dolphins for the 2020 season. He started in all 16 games and played on all 1,067 of their offensive snaps. Before that, he spent the previous four years with the Patriots, winning a pair of Super Bowls in front of Tom Brady. Karras was a reserve for the early part of his New England tenure, starting only five games through his first three pro seasons. Then, in 2019, he was elevated to the first string for 15 games.

The return of Karras likely signals the departure of free agent David Andrews. The longtime starter missed the entire 2019 campaign after getting diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism, but managed to return in time for the 2020 season. Held back by a much less serious thumb ailment, he appeared in 72% of the Patriots’ offensive snaps in 12 games. Now, he could be moving on to another club.

Latest On FA C David Andrews

March 16th, 2021 at 9:40pm CST by Ben Levine

It sounds like the Patriots had a chance to secure David Andrews‘ services today, but the center is now set to test the open market. NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport tweets that after weighing New England’s offers today, the veteran is now pivoting towards offers from other suitors.

NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo confirms (via Twitter) that Andrews will now explore other options outside of New England. Garafolo clarified that the offensive lineman has been exploring all options this week, but he has yet to agree to any offers (Twitter link). Michael Giardi of NFL Network tweets that Andrews “has expressed a desire” to stick with New England, and the reporter wonders whether Bill Belichick is simply daring the free agent to find a superior offer elsewhere.

Andrews joined the Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2015, and he started 57 of his 60 appearances through his first four seasons in the NFL. He ended up missing the entire 2019 campaign after getting diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism, but he managed to return in time for the 2020 season. He missed a handful of games with a thumb injury, ultimately appearing in 72-percent of the Patriots’ offensive snaps in 12 games.

The Patriots offensive line is already set to look a bit different in 2021. The team traded for offensive tackle Trent Brown before watching starting lineman Joe Thuney sign with the Chiefs.

Contract Details: Patriots, Moseley, Golden, Bills, Hyde

March 16th, 2021 at 6:57pm CST by Ben Levine

Some assorted contract details from around the NFL:

  • LB Matt Judon, Patriots: $18MM signing bonus. Salaries: $1MM (2021), $11MM (2022), $11MM (2023), $9.5MM (2024). Up to $1MM in per-game roster bonuses, $500K All-Pro incentive between 2022 and 2024. Via ESPN’s Field Yates on Twitter.
  • TE Jonnu Smith, Patriots: $15MM signing bonus. Salaries: $1MM (2021), $9MM (2022), $10MM (2023), $11MM (2024). Up to $1MM in per-game roster bonuses. Via Yates on Twitter.
  • CB Emmanuel Moseley, 49ers: $500K per-game active roster bonus in 2022. Up to $750K play-time base salary escalator in 2022. Via Houston Chronicle’s Aaron Wilson on Twitter.
  • LB Markus Golden, Cardinals: two years, $5MM, $2.5MM guaranteed. $1.5MM signing bonus. Salaries: $1MM (2021, guaranteed), $2MM (2022). Up to $250K in annual per-game roster bonuses, up to $2MM in annual sack incentives. Via Wilson on Twitter.
  • OT Daryl Williams, Bills: $13.75MM guaranteed, $5.4MM signing bonus. Salaries: $1MM (2021), $6.725MM (2022), $5.475MM (2023). $3MM roster bonus in 2021, $1.25MM roster bonus in 2023. Per-game roster bonuses: $250K (2021), $300K (2022-2023). $100K annual workout bonuses. $2.2MM in additional annual incentives. Via Yates on Twitter.
  • RB Carlos Hyde, Jaguars: Two years, $4.5MM. $1.25MM base salary in 2021 is fully guaranteed. $900K signing bonus. Via TheMMQB’s Albert Breer on Twitter.

Stephon Gilmore Still Available For Trade?

March 16th, 2021 at 6:14pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Patriots have deviated from their usual free agency patience, handing out a number of lucrative deals this week. Stephon Gilmore received such treatment four years ago, but it is not certain he will link up with the host of UFAs the Pats have added this year.

After discussing Gilmore in trades last year, the Patriots are still believed to have the former Defensive Player of the Year on the block, Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com note (Insider link).

New England set a high asking price for Gilmore last year, seeking a first-round pick for the standout cover man. No team seriously approached that cost, and the market may be worse for Gilmore going into his contract year. Although he is due just $7MM in base salary next season, the expectation is a team trading for Gilmore would need to redo his deal.

The Pats were expected to discuss Gilmore’s contract, but it is unclear if the sides have reached a resolution. The sides agreed to a substantial pay bump for the 2020 season, but Gilmore remains attached to the five-year, $65MM contract he signed in 2017. Despite spending plenty of cash this week, the Patriots still have the cap room to retain Gilmore. But his hopes at an extension appear to be an issue.

The Pats have Jonathan Jones signed long-term, and they are expected to tender RFA J.C. Jackson. Jason McCourty is a free agent. New England also agreed to terms with safety/corner Jalen Mills this week. While Gilmore is not coming off his best season — one marred by a COVID-19 contraction — he is still one of the NFL’s best corners. Gilmore will turn 31 this year, so his prospects at landing a Jalen Ramsey– or Tre’Davious White-type extension will be minimized by his experience level.

NFL Contract Details: Bolts, Griffin, Broncos

March 16th, 2021 at 3:44pm CST by Sam Robinson

With the tampering period in full swing, here are some of the latest contract details to emerge:

  • Chargers C Corey Linsley: Five years, $62.5MM. $26MM guaranteed, $13MM signing bonus. Linsley is due $26MM through 2022, Albert Breer of SI.com tweets. Linsley’s 2021 base salary ($4MM) is fully guaranteed. His 2022 base salary ($9MM) is guaranteed for injury at signing; it becomes fully guaranteed if he is on the Bolts’ roster on Day 2 of the 2022 league year, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle tweets.
  • Jaguars CB Shaquill Griffin: Three years, $40MM. $23.5MM fully guaranteed, Albert Breer of SI.com tweets. $12MM signing bonus, base salaries of $1MM, $11.5MM and $11.5MM. Griffin is due a $1MM roster bonus in 2023, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets.
  • Lions DE Romeo Okwara: Three years, $39MM. $14MM signing bonus, $20MM fully guaranteed. Another $5MM will be guaranteed by next March, per NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero (on Twitter).
  • Broncos DL Shelby Harris: Three years, $27MM. $9MM signing bonus. Harris’ $1MM 2021 base salary and $5.5MM of his $7.5MM 2022 base are guaranteed, Wilson tweets.
  • Patriots DB Jalen Mills: Four years, $24MM. $2.5MM signing bonus, $3MM base salary in 2021, $4.5MM in ’22. Williams will have $3.5MM of his 2022 base salary fully guaranteed, Breer tweets.
  • Panthers OL Cameron Erving: Two years, $10MM. This contract includes base salaries of $990K and $2.01MM, with Wilson tweeting a March 2022 roster bonus of $2.5MM is guaranteed.
  • 49ers CB Jason Verrett: One year, $5.5MM. $2MM signing bonus, $2.5MM base salary, $1MM in per-game roster bonuses. Another $1MM is available via incentives, Yates tweets.

Patriots To Sign Hunter Henry

March 16th, 2021 at 9:20am CST by Zachary Links

The Patriots will sign tight end Hunter Henry to a three-year, $37.5MM deal, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter). The former Chargers tight end will receive $25MM guaranteed as a part of the deal.

Henry will join the newly-acquired Jonnu Smith, giving the Patriots the top two tight ends in free agency. Together, they’ll help to fill the long-standing void left by Rob Gronkowski‘s departure.

Henry missed the entire 2018 campaign with a torn ACL, and although he’s played at least 12 games in his other four seasons, he’s also never played a full 16. Still, the Chargers’ decision to let Henry test the open market came as a surprise. This past season he had 60 catches for 613 yards and four touchdowns in 14 games. The tag would have cost them ~$13MM for one year.

The Patriots revamped offense will also feature former 49ers receiver Kendrick Bourne and ex-Raiders WR Nelson Agholor.

Minor NFL Transactions: 3/15/21

March 15th, 2021 at 7:55pm CST by Zachary Links

Today’s “minor” moves:

Arizona Cardinals

Buffalo Bills

Carolina Panthers

Dallas Cowboys

Houston Texans

Jacksonville Jaguars

New England Patriots

New York Giants

Minnesota Vikings

Patriots To Sign DL Henry Anderson

March 15th, 2021 at 7:13pm CST by Ben Levine

The Patriots have made another addition to their defensive line. NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports (via Twitter) that the Patriots have signed defensive lineman Henry Anderson. It will be a two-year deal worth $7MM, and it has a max value of $11MM based on achievable playtime incentives, per Rapoport (on Twitter).

Following three seasons with the Colts, Anderson was traded to the Jets in 2018 for a seventh-round pick. He proceeded to have a career year during his first season in New York, compiling seven sacks. That performance earned him a new three-year, $25MM extension from the organization, but he had a tough time living up to that contract. Despite appearing in 29 games (21 starts) for the Jets between 2019 and 2020, Anderson collected only 1.5 sacks.

Thanks in part to the reduced production, it always seemed unlikely that Anderson would stick around for the entirety of his contract. The Jets ultimately moved on from the defensive lineman earlier this month, saving the organization more than $8MM.

The Patriots have been busy adding to their defense today, signing linebacker Matt Judon, defensive tackle Davon Godchaux, and defensive back Jalen Mills. The team also brought back defensive end Deatrich Wise and defensive tackle Carl Davis.

Patriots To Sign Kendrick Bourne

March 15th, 2021 at 5:58pm CST by Sam Robinson

5:58pm: The Pats have a deal with Bourne. They are signing the former 49ers receiver to a three-year, $22.5MM pact, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. While Bourne and Nelson Agholor are not on the top tier of available wideouts, they are off the market as part of New England’s receiver-retooling effort.

4:16pm: Usually fairly restrained early in free agency periods, the Patriots have been active on Day 1 of the legal tampering period. They are now moving toward a deal with 49ers wide receiver Kendrick Bourne, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com tweets.

Multiple teams have made offers to Bourne, per Fowler, but he and the Pats are discussing terms at this juncture. Bourne would represent a notable add to a receiver room in dire need of 2021 contributors.

New England has given either Cam Newton (or a to-be-determined QB1) Jonnu Smith and added Matt Judon and Jalen Mills to its defense. Bourne would be the team’s first wideout addition this offseason. The Pats have been in transition at this spot for multiple seasons, so Bourne would be a welcome signing.

Despite missing time because of COVID-19 last season and the 49ers having lost Jimmy Garoppolo for much of the slate, Bourne emerged with his most productive year. He caught 49 passes for 667 yards and two touchdowns. During San Francisco’s 2019 NFC championship season, Bourne played a key role but took a backseat to the likes of George Kittle, Emmanuel Sanders and Deebo Samuel in the 49ers’ aerial hierarchy.

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