The New England Patriots should be busy over the next several weeks as Mike Vrabel and company look to build a winning roster for 2025 and beyond. NFL free agency begins Monday afternoon when the legal tampering window opens, and deals can become official Wednesday when the new league year officially kicks off.
The Patriots have more cap space than any other team this offseason and plenty of needs up and down the roster. The most glaring holes are at left tackle and wide receiver on the offensive side of the ball, while the Pats could use some help along the defensive line, in the pass rush, and at cornerback on defense.
Vrabel is looking to bring his type of players to New England, a process that has already begun. Here’s a running list of New England’s moves so far this offseason.
Patriots have busy Day 1 of NFL Free Agency
The negotiating/legal tampering window has been open for just over four hours, and it’s been a very eventful day for the New England Patriots thus far. Here’s a look at the players they reportedly added on Monday, plus two players they signed on Sunday:
DT Milton Williams: 4 yrs, $104 million
CB Carlton Davis: 3 yrs, $60 million
LB Robert Spillane: 3 yrs, $37.5 million
LB Harold Landry: 3 yrs, $43.5 million
OL Morgan Moses: 3 yrs, $24 million
TE Austin Hooper: 1 yr, $5 million
The Patriots didn’t land a wide receiver or left tackle, but overall had a pretty good first day of NFL free agency on Monday.
Patriots reportedly sign DT Milton Williams
While it was previously reported that Milton Williams was signing with the Panthers, that did not come to fruition. Williams is instead coming to New England, which is a massive get for the Patriots defense.
Williams is set to make $26 million annually in New England, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. The 25-year-old Williams was a disruptive force for the Eagles last season, racking up five sacks, 10 QB hits, and 24 tackles for the Super Bowl champs.
This is huge for the Patriots, who land one of the best available free agents on the defensive side. The New England defense looks pretty formidable with the additions of Williams, Robert Spillane, Carlton Davis, and Harold Landry over the last 24 hours.
Patriots reportedly sign right tackle Morgan Moses
The Patriots did land a tackle on Monday, reportedly signing right tackle Morgan Moses, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network. Morgan is getting a three-year deal that could be worth up to $28.5 million.
The 34-year-old veteran will give the Patriots some leadership along the offensive line. He played 14 games for the Jets last year, but has played in every game in eight of his 11 NFL seasons.
Patriots reportedly sign cornerback Carlton Davis
The Patriots are at least making moves on defense. The team has reportedly added Carlton Davis to be their No. 2 corner with Christian Gonzalez.
Davis played for the Detroit Lions last season and had 56 tackles, a pair of interceptions, and 11 passes defended. He spent his first six NFL seasons in Tampa Bay with the Buccaneers, and has 11 interceptions, four forced fumbles, and 380 tackles in 89 games over his career.
While Landry, Spillane, and Davis aren’t the Day 1 signings New England fans were hoping for, the trio should go a long way in improving the team’s defense in 2025.
Patriots miss out on Dan Moore, Milton Williams
You can take another left tackle off the board for the Patriots, along with one of the best defensive players available.
Left tackle Dan Moore is off to the Titans, signing a four-year deal for $82 million, according to Ian Rapoport. That leaves Cam Robinson as the only big name left tackle available for the Patriots in free agency.
That hurts, as does losing out to Eagles defensive tackle Milton Williams. He’s leaving the defending Super Bowl champs to reportedly sign with …. the Carolina Panthers, according to Diana Russini of The Athletic. Ouch.
UPDATE: Williams did NOT complete a deal with the Panthers, and is instead heading to New England. Rejoice, Patriots fans.
Patriots reportedly sign linebacker Robert Spillane
The Patriots have added to their defense again, reportedly signing linebacker Robert Spillane, according to Ian Rapoport.
Spillane is a talented linebacker who will help New England’s run defense, which was among the worst in the NFL in 2024. The 29-year-old Spillane played the last two seasons with the Raiders, and had a career-high 158 combined tackles to go with two sacks, three QB hits, and two interceptions for Las Vegas in 2024. Prior to his time with the Raiders, Spillane played four seasons for the Steelers.
He got his start in the NFL as an undrafted free agent with Tennessee under Mike Vrabel in 2018. Now Spillane will be back on Vrabel’s defense in New England.
Chris Godwin goes back to Buccaneers
Just 10 minutes into free agency and Chris Godwin is heading back to Tampa. The wide receiver is signing a three-year, $66 million deal with the Bucs, according to Ian Rapoport.
Onto Plan D (or E or F or G) for the Patriots at receiver.
Left Tackle Jaylon Moore reportedly signs with Chiefs
The Pats missed out on another left tackle, with Jaylon Moore reportedly agreeing to a two-year deal with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Patriots trade Davon Godchaux to Saints
Godchaux wasn’t seen as a fit in Vrabel’s new defensive scheme, and was given permission to seek a trade a few weeks ago. On Monday, the Pats reportedly agreed to trade him to the New Orleans Saints for a 2026 seventh-round pick.
Patriots sign Harold Landry to 3-year deal
It’s no surprise that the Patriot signed Landry, who was drafted by Vrabel in Tennessee and spent six seasons playing under him with the Titans. For his career, Landry has 50.5 sacks over 98 games. He got to the quarterback 19.5 times over the last two seasons, so the 28-year-old should bring plenty of help to New England’s pass rush.
Landry reportedly took some convincing to come to New England, and the Pats are set to pay him a max of $48 million over the next three seasons.
Patriots sign Austin Hooper to 1-year deal
Hooper is back on a one-year contract that could be worth up to $7 million. The veteran tight end formed a solid duo with Hunter Henry last season, when Hooper caught 45 passes for 476 yards and three touchdowns.
Patriots miss out on DK Metcalf, Davante Adams
DK Metcalf will not be coming to New England to catch passes from Drake Maye. The Pittsburgh Steelers acquired the wide receiver on Sunday, sending a second-round pick to Seattle in return. The Steelers are also signing Metcalf to a five-year extension worth $150 million.
Additionally, free-agent receiver Davante Adams signed a 2-year deal with the L.A. Rams over the weekend. The Patriots will now likely focus in on free-agent Chris Godwin, who did not re-up with the Buccaneers this offseason.
Top left tackle Ronnie Stanley returns to Ravens
The Patriots need someone to protect Maye’s blind side, but that will not be Ronnie Stanley. The top left tackle available is returning to the Ravens, reportedly signing a three-year deal worth $60 million on Saturday.
Minnesota free agent Cam Robinson remains a possibility for the Patriots at left tackle.
Matt GeaganMatthew Geagan is a sports producer for CBS Boston. He has been part of the WBZ sports team for nearly 20 years. He moved over to the web in 2012 and has covered all the highs (and a few lows) in Boston sports.
