pinned
⋅ New England is signing linebacker Harold Landry to three-year, $43.5 million deal. They also re-signed TE Austin Hooper.
⋅ The Patriots made a huge splash on the defense line, adding perhaps the best overall free agent available in DT Milton Williams, one of the stars of the Eagles’ Super Bowl run.
⋅ Finally, an offensive lineman: the Patriots are signing tackle Morgan Moses from the Jets on a three-year, $24 million deal.
⋅ New England signed a veteran corner to play opposite Christian Gonzalez, bringing in Carlton Davis on a three-year, $60 million deal.
⋅ A heavy reshaping of the defense continued with LB Robert Spillane, who will reunite with Mike Vrable in New England.
⋅ DT Davon Godchaux will be traded from the Patriots to the Saints after he requested the opportunity to seek a deal.
⋅ Here’s Ben Volin’s explainer on the salary cap and key terms to know in advance of NFL free agency
⋅ Who will the Patriots target in free agency? Look to Mike Vrabel’s connections.
⋅ What can the Patriots do at left tackle now that Ronnie Stanley is off the table? Nicole Yang explores.
⋅ A year later, the Patriots have a real pitch to free agents: Drake Maye and Mike Vrabel
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By Nicole Yang and Christopher Price
The Patriots made one of the biggest moves of free agency so far, swooping in for former Eagles DT Milton Williams to bring in a star in the trenches.
Here’s how the Globe staff views that deal:
The Patriots made a big swing — a four-year, $104 million contract — to land Williams, who was in the process of finalizing a deal with Carolina. The 25-year-old Williams figures to become a core member of Mike Vrabel’s defense, regardless of Christian Barmore’s status, given his versatility and athleticism.
If Barmore is able to play and return to form, the Patriots will have two young, disruptive forces on their front seven. The organization deserves credit for its push to sign him.
Grade: A
Milton Williams is the sort of impactful game-wrecker the Patriots have been missing for much of the last two seasons — a 6-foot-3-inch, 290-pounder who was part of the dominant defensive front for the Super Bowl champion Eagles last season. Williams who turns 26 in April, is an extremely athletic lineman who is equally adept at stopping the run and getting after the quarterback.
It’s going to be interesting to see how the Patriots proceed at the defensive tackle spot. Do they try and add another big body in Grady Jarrett? Or do they have their eyes on Michigan’s Mason Graham at No. 4 in the draft? And how does this all relate to the future of Christian Barmore, who is looking to come back from blood clot issues that sidelined him for much of 2024?
All that will be revealed. Ultimately, the add of Williams represents a major upgrade for the New England defense.
Grade: A-
By Amin Touri
Some major quarterback moves broke in quick succession Monday afternoon, with Sam Darnold heading for Seattle and Justin Fields joining the Jets.
Darnold had a breakout season with the Vikings in 2024 and was a finalist for NFL Comeback Player of the Year after throwing for 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns in his first season as a regular starter since 2021. That was enough to earn him a three-year deal with the Seahawks reportedly worth around $100 million after Seattle traded veteran QB Geno Smith to Las Vegas over the weekend.
The Jets, meanwhile, are looking to move on from 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers and will do so in the form of Fields, the former first-round pick who started for three seasons in Chicago before he was traded to Pittsburgh in 2024. Fields only started six games before he was benched for Russell Wilson, but apparently showed enough to earn a two-year, $40 million contract in New York.
By Christopher Price and Nicole Yang
The Patriots finally made a move to shore up their offensive line Monday, inking former Jets tackle Morgan Moses to a three-year deal.
Here’s how the Globe staff views that deal:
The phrase that keeps coming upon when you talk to people around the league about veteran right tackle Morgan Moses is “steady.” The 34-year-old has missed just six games (three each of the last two seasons) since the start of the 2015 season, and should provide a solid and dependable layer of protection for quarterback Drake Maye. Ultimately, the 6-foot-6-inch, 320-pound Moses is likely a stopgap option — maybe a year or two — for a New England team looking for any sort of stability up front heading into 2025.
Grade: B+
All indications are Moses will be New England’s starting right tackle next season, a much needed improvement from the likes of Demontrey Jacobs and Caedan Wallace. Moses has years of starting experience, playing seven seasons in Washington, two in Baltimore, and two (non-consecutive) with the New York Jets. The biggest question mark is his age (34), but his durability thus far is encouraging. He’s missed just six games since 2015. If Moses can continue to stay healthy, he’ll provide better protection for Drake Maye and allow for Wallace to develop.
Grade: B+
By Nicole Yang
After it appeared Milton Williams was finalizing a deal with Carolina, the Patriots swooped in to secure one of the top free agent targets. The 25-year-old Williams just finished his rookie deal with the Super Bowl LIX champion Eagles.
The deal is reportedly worth $26 million per season. Williams was the top free agent available entering the week according to NFL.com.
The move comes after New England traded away defensive tackle Davon Godchaux as New England reshapes its defense around Mike Vrabel’s defensive scheme.
By Amin Touri
While the Patriots continue to search for offensive line solutions, a number of teams were busy on the other side of the trenches.
The Commanders made a bit of a surprise move in adding former 49ers and Jets DT Javon Kinlaw, signing the veteran to a three-year, $45 million deal while appearing to allow two-time Pro Bowl DT Jonathan Allen walk.
A couple notable defensive linemen chose to stay put — tackle BJ Hill re-upped with the Bengals on a three-year, $33 million deal, while the Chargers kept hold of star edge rusher Khalil Mack for another year for $18 million fully guaranteed.
One move still in the ether: the Panthers were finalizing a move with top Patriots target Milton Williams, perhaps the top overall free agent available, but that signing appears uncertain as multiple teams continue to pursue the anchor of the Eagles’ championship defense.
By Nicole Yang
The Patriots finally make a move to upgrade up their offensive line, signing tackle Morgan Moses to a three-year, $24 million deal. The 34-year-old Moses has primarily played on the right side.
By Nicole Yang
Cornerback Carlton Davis is signing with the Patriots on a three-year, $60 million deal, a league source confirmed. Outside cornerback was a sneaky need, as the Patriots needed someone to play opposite Christian Gonzalez. At 6-foot-1, 210 pounds, the 28-year-old Davis brings size and experience that the group needed.
Last season, Davis played 13 games for the Lions before suffering a season-ending fractured jaw. He finished the year with two interceptions, a fumble recovery, and 11 passes defensed.
By Nicole Yang
Another one of New England’s main free agent targets is seemingly off the board. Defensive tackle Milton Williams, whom the Patriots were expected to pursue, is finalizing a deal with Carolina, according to ESPN. Williams would have been a strong fit for Vrabel’s defense.
By Nicole Yang
Left tackle Dan Moore is signing a four-year, $82 million deal with Tennessee, according to NFL Network. Moore was one of the remaining starting tackle options for the Patriots. Now, the best free agent available is Cam Robinson.
By Nicole Yang
The Patriots are signing linebacker Robert Spillane, a league source confirmed.
The 29-year-old Spillane, who went undrafted out of Western Michigan in 2018, started his NFL career playing for Mike Vrabel in Tennessee. After one season, he then spent four years in Pittsburgh before signing with Las Vegas.
Last season, Spillane was on the field for 98.2 percent of the Raiders’ defensive snaps. He finished as the team’s leading tackler (158), including 10 for a loss and two sacks.
By Christopher Price
With Chris Godwin off the market, here are a few remaining free agent options for New England at receiver.
Amari Cooper: Cooper, 30, is a 6-foot-1, 211-pounder who has played for four teams since entering the league in 2015, and has caught passes from more than a dozen quarterbacks. While his totals took a dip with the Bills this season, his stat line (44 catches, 547 yards, 4 touchdowns) would still put him among the team leaders in New England.
Stefon Diggs: This well-traveled 31-year-old caught 47 passes for 496 yards and three touchdown last season in limited action with the Texans. He doesn’t have the world-class skills that he flashed a few years back (127 catches with the Bills in 2020), but the 6-foot, 191-pounder might be one of the best pass catchers left on the market for the Patriots.
DeAndre Hopkins: This 6-foot-1-inch, 212-pound vet flirted with the possibility of joining the Patriots prior to the start of the 2023 season, but instead had a one year stopover with the Titans before joining the Chiefs. The 32-year-old had 41 catches for 437 yards and four touchdowns last year in Kansas City, a dip in his usual production. Was it because of his acclimation to a new offense, or due to age? One to watch moving forward.
Darius Slayton: Another complementary receiver who has put-up decent numbers the last few years with the Giants (including 50 catches for 770 yards and four touchdowns in 2023), this 6-foot-1-inch, 198-pounder out of Auburn could work his way into a No. 2 or No. 3 role in the New England offense.
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine: The 27-year-old Westbrook-Ikhine was a Vrabel favorite in Tennessee. At 6-foot-2-inches and 211 pounds, he’s not an overwhelming presence, but has carved out a solid rep as a complementary pass catcher. Last season, he had 32 catches for 497 yards and nine touchdowns.
By Amin Touri
Another potential Patriots target at receiver is off the board as Chris Godwin is re-signing with the Buccaneers on a three-year, $66 million deal.
The former Pro Bowler chose to stay put as he returns from a serious lower-leg injury, having dislocated his ankle in a Week 7 game against the Ravens this past season. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that Godwin left about $20 million on the table to stay with Tampa Bay.
Godwin has racked up at least 1,000 yards receiving in four of the past five seasons.
By Christopher Price
Mike Vrabel has talked about improving the culture in Foxborough. If you could make the money work, the addition of someone like well-respected defensive tackle Grady Jarrett would be a nice find for New England. A Pro Bowler, team captain and Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee, he was a surprise cut Monday by the Falcons. The 31-year-old has played 10 seasons in the NFL, all with Atlanta, and his more attacking style (36.5 career sacks) is more in line with a Mike Vrabel-Terrell Williams defensive approach.
By Conor Ryan
The Patriots are beefing up their pass rush this offseason.
New England is signing outside linebacker Harold Landry to a three-year, $43.5 million contract — with $26 million fully guaranteed. The deal has a maximum value of $48 million.
Landry’s arrival should provide a significant boost to a Patriots defense that regressed heavily in 2024, and stands as New England’s first top signing in what should be a busy offseason.
Here are four things to know about Landry.
By Ben Volin
Breaking down contracts for the Patriots’ Austin Hooper and other notable players around the NFL:
Rams WR Davante Adams: While the total contract is two years and $44 million plus $2 million in incentives, it’s really a “one year and we’ll see” type of deal for the 32-year-old Adams.
The first year is for $20 million, fully guaranteed, plus $1 million in incentives. The second year is for $24 million plus $1 million in incentives, but with only $6 million fully guaranteed. The Rams can easily move on next year if Adams isn’t productive.
The Patriots, desperate for playmakers and flush with the most salary cap space in the NFL, certainly could have matched or surpassed this contract. But Adams clearly wants to play for a contender, and being on the west coast closer to home (he is from the Bay Area) is an added bonus. The Patriots offer neither of those things, highlighting the difficulty they face in adding top-level talent this offseason.
Steelers WR DK Metcalf: The Seahawks are blowing it all up and starting over, having released WR Tyler Lockett and traded QB Geno Smith and Metcalf in recent days. Per reports, the Steelers agreed to trade the Seahawks their second-round pick, and gave Metcalf a five-year, $150 million contract, though details are unavailable as of Monday morning.
The fact that Metcalf was willing to join a bad-weather team without a quarterback is a rough look for the Patriots, who actually do have a promising young quarterback. But I don’t blame the Patriots for not making this trade, as the contract plus the second-round pick made for a significant price tag. Metcalf wouldn’t make that much of a difference for the Patriots, whose roster is so barren they need a volume of new players, not one or two expensive ones.
The Steelers may look to trade George Pickens now that they have invested in Metcalf. But their strategy seems backwards – they go all-out for receivers, but have done nothing at quarterback, content for the last several years to pick up the scraps in free agency and the draft. The Steelers will be stuck in a 9-8 loophole until they get aggressive in finding a quarterback.
Patriots TE Austin Hooper: He was a dependable role player for the Patriots in 2024, catching 45 passes for 476 yards and three touchdowns. And fans can now lock him into a roster spot for 2025 based on his new contract.
That’s because in Hooper’s one-year, $5 million deal, $4 million of it is fully guaranteed (his signing bonus and base salary). Hooper can also make $150,000 with an offseason workout bonus, $850,000 in per-game roster bonuses ($50,000 per game active), plus up to $2 million in incentives based on playing time and receptions. Hooper, 30, played 53 percent of snaps last year as the No. 2 tight end to Hunter Henry, and should expect a similar role in 2025.
Interestingly, his deal isn’t much lower than the one signed by the Commanders’ Zach Ertz, who had 66 catches for 654 yards and seven touchdowns last year. Ertz signed a one-year deal worth $5.59 million guaranteed, with upside to make as much as $9 million with incentives. Perhaps it’s because Ertz is 34, but I’m surprised Ertz didn’t get significantly more than Hooper.
Bengals TE Mike Gesicki: The Bengals do not seem to be of the belief that defense builds championships. While they have placed Trey Hendrickson, one of the NFL’s best edge rushers, on the trade block, they placed the franchise tag on Tee Higgins ($26 million), plan to sign Ja’Marr Chase to a deal averaging $40-plus million, and now re-signed Gesicki to a surprisingly big contract.
The total numbers aren’t crazy – $25.5 million over three years – but Gesicki, 29, will make almost half of it in the first year ($12 million). That’s a solid up-front cash payment for a tight end who is, at best, the Bengals’ third receiving option and had 665 yards and two touchdowns last year.
All this money going to the offense over defense points to an overarching strategy: The Bengals must be trying hard to keep Joe Burrow happy.
By Christopher Price
A source close to veteran cornerback Jonathan Jones says he’s prepared to test free agency, but hasn’t ruled out a possible return to New England. The 31-year-old Jones, one of the last remaining links to the Patriots’ Super Bowl teams of the past, has played nine seasons with New England, and has 11 career interceptions.
By Nicole Yang
Before the Patriots even had the opportunity to make an offer, the Ravens re-signed left tackle Ronnie Stanley to a three-year extension Saturday.
Stanley, who turns 31 this month, was set to become the top unrestricted free agent at his position. Instead, he’ll remain with the team that drafted him sixth overall nine years ago.
The Patriots intended to pursue Stanley when the NFL’s negotiation period opens at noon on Monday, given the wretched state of their offensive line. They’ll now have to pivot to inferior options, led by 29-year-old Cam Robinson.
Robinson, according to Pro Football Focus, allowed 52 pressures last season the second most in the league. But he would be an upgrade for the Patriots. Robinson has plenty of starting experience, playing 7½ years for Jacksonville before getting traded to Minnesota in October. He’s also stayed relatively healthy, only missing extended time in 2018 for a torn ACL and 2023 for a meniscus injury.
Patriots offensive line coach Doug Marrone was Jacksonville’s head coach when the Jaguars traded up to select Robinson 34th overall out of Alabama in 2017.
The Patriots are trading defensive tackle Davon Godchaux to the Saints for a seventh-round pick in 2026. The 6-foot-3-inch, 330-pounder, who played four seasons with New England, was given permission earlier this offseason to seek a trade with the thinking that he might not be a good fit in Mike Vrabel’s defensive scheme.
The 30-year-old Godchaux has spent the last four seasons with the Patriots and has started 67 of 68 games since he was signed as an unrestricted free agent in 2021. Known primarily as a two-down run defender, he’s had 250 tackles and 2.5 sacks, as well as a forced fumble and fumble recovery in his time in New England.
In 2024, with Christian Barmore on the shelf for the bulk of the season with blood clot issues, the 6-foot-3-inch, 330-pound Godchaux was on the field for 60.7 percent of all defensive snaps, third-most among defensive linemen on the roster. It set a mark for the highest percentage of defensive snaps he had played in his Patriots tenure.
A former fifth-round pick of the Dolphins in 2017 out of Louisiana State, Godchaux has two years left on an extension he signed last July. That deal has a base salary of $4 million and a cap hit of $8.333 million for the coming season. — Christopher Price
By Ben Volin
The NFL isn’t just the most dominant force in American sports. It’s the only league that requires an economics degree to follow the offseason.
The NBA and NHL salary caps are fairly straight forward — contracts are fully guaranteed, and every dollar earned counts that year against the cap. But guaranteed contracts are the exception in the NFL, which has a unique accounting system that allows teams to push cap dollars into future years. In the NFL, teams can make 1+1 = 2, 3, 5 or negative-12.
Following free agency can be tricky for fans. The salary cap can be complicated, and media reports on NFL contracts can be confusing or vague as agents sometimes obfuscate the real numbers.
With free agency set to begin in the upcoming week — verbal agreements can start Monday at noon, and signings and trades can become official Wednesday at 4 p.m. — let’s review how the NFL salary cap works and the key terms to know.
Amin Touri can be reached at [email protected]. Katie McInerney can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her @k8tmac. Christopher Price can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him @cpriceglobe. Nicole Yang can be reached at [email protected] her @nicolecyang. Ben Volin can be reached at [email protected].
