The New England Patriots made a big splash Sunday a day before the NFL’s legal tampering period began — the unofficial start of free agency — to bolster their defense.

According to multiple reports, the Patriots are signing Pro Bowl outside linebacker Harold Landry III to a three-year, $43.5 million deal with $26 million guaranteed. NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero, who broke the news, reported Landry’s contract has a max value of $48 million.

The Patriots were viewed as a landing spot for Landry after the Tennessee Titans cut the 28-year-old a couple of days ago for salary cap reasons. Landry has strong ties to Mike Vrabel, who drafted the Boston College product in 2018.

Landry enjoyed a Pro Bowl season in 2021 when he accumulated a career-high 12 sacks and 75 tackles. He missed the entire 2022 season due to a torn ACL, but returned to have productive seasons the last two years.

Landry started all 17 games this past season, in which he totaled 71 tackles, nine sacks, 15 quarterback hits and four passes defended.

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The Patriots certainly will need Landry’s pass-rushing presence in their front seven after they finished last in the NFL in sacks in 2024.

Featured image via Steve Roberts/Imagn Images