New England Patriots News - Sportsnaut

New England Patriots sign ‘biggest defender’ in NFL free agency

Andrew Buller-Russ — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 18:24:49 +0000

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Boasting the league’s most cap space, with over $100 million to spend, the New England Patriots were always a strong bet to make a big splash once NFL free agency kicked off. Many expected the Patriots to spend money on both sides of the ball as they look to bounce back from what was just a three-win season in 2024.

Just hours into the NFL’s official free agency negotiation window, the Patriots have swung a blockbuster addition.

New England Patriots make Milton Williams one of NFL’s highest-paid DTs

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Not long after NFL free agency began, rumors began circulating that the Carolina Panthers were closing in on a contract agreement with Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Milton Williams. Plans changed.

According to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, Williams is now signing with the New England Patriots instead. They’ve reportedly gotten him to agree to a four-year, $104 million contract, making him the NFL’s third-highest-paid defensive tackle.

Yet, they had to beat out several other teams who made a late push to sign him, including the Arizona Cardinals and Minnesota Vikings. Now, Williams joins the Patriots instead, who finished with the NFL’s fewest sacks in 2024.

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Kansas City Chiefs, Washington Commanders, New England Patriots reportedly competing for top OL

Matt Johnson — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 11:46:32 +0000

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The Kansas City Chiefs, Washington Commanders and New England Patriots are among the teams in the market for offensive line help heading into NFL free agency. With Trey Smith and Ronnie Stanley off the board, clubs are turning their focus to another veteran option poised to hit the open market.

Kansas City prevented Smith from hitting free agency, applying the franchise tag to him which he signed on Sunday. However, it forced the club to trade All-Pro guard Joe Thuney and there’s still a glaring need at offensive tackle. Meanwhile, the Patriots, Commanders and Cincinnati Bengals are also looking for help at both offensive tackle and guard

Related: NFL free agency predictions

There are plenty of options available at both spots. At offensive tackle, Cam Robinson is the best option with quality starters like Patrick Mekari, Dan Moore Jr., Tyron Smith and Jedrick Willis behind him. At guard, Will Fries is the best player available with Teven Jenkins, Mekhi Becton and Kevin Zeitler close behind. However, a veteran option has popped up in NFL rumors as a veteran option.

According to The Athletic‘s senior NFL reporter Dianna Russini, the Chiefs, Commanders, Patriots and Bengals have all shown interest in signing offensive tackle Morgan Moses

Moses, age 34, spent last season with the New York Jets. The 6-foot-6 offensive tackle started 14 games at right tackle, rating as one of the best pass protectors at his position. According to Pro Football Focus, he allowed just 2 sacks and 16 total pressures in 467 pass-blocking snaps last season. He’s also been a very good run blocker before the 2024 campaign.

New York also wants to re-sign Moses, but the number of suitors involved might complicate matters. If he wants to compete for a championship, the Chiefs, Bengals and Commanders all offer a more viable path to the Super Bowl. If he’s looking for the biggest payday possible, Washington and New England have the most cap space in the NFL.

Moses has spent his entire career at right tackle and would fill an obvious need for the Patriots, Bengals, Commanders, Patriots and Jets. Kansas City is a more interesting destination. Jawaan Taylor is currently the team’s right tackle, but he’s largely been a liability. While he could be benched in favor of Moses, that would mean carrying a $27.391 million cap hit on a player to serve as a reserve next season. It would still be an upgrade for the Chiefs offensive line, but it would come with a hefty cost.

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New England Patriots sign former Pro Bowl pass-rusher to lucrative contract

Andrew Buller-Russ — Sun, 09 Mar 2025 23:31:41 +0000

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The New England Patriots knew what needs they had to address this offseason, shore up an offensive line that allowed the NFL’s fifth-most sacks last season and fix a defensive front that had the league’s fewest. We can already cross one item off their offseason checklist.

New England Patriots reunite Harold Landry with Mike Vrabel

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No team had fewer sacks than the New England Patriots last offseason. With Mike Vrabel taking over head coaching duties from Jerod Mayo, there’s expected to be a heavy emphasis on upgrading the front seven.

Now, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Patriots have signed former Pro Bowl pass rusher Harold Landry to a three-year, $43.5 million contract worth $26 million fully guaranteed. The contract reportedly has a max value of $48 million.

Since Landry was recently released by the Tennessee Titans, he was free to sign with any team he chooses. It’s not necessarily a surprise to see Landry decide to reunite with his former Titans head coach in New England. Yet, the Patriots also had the NFL’s most salary cap space, with over $100 million to spend.

Ultimately, Landry got a respectable offer and he didn’t hesitate to jump all over it. After a nine-sack season in 2024, Landry immediately becomes the top sack artist in New England, as no Patriots even recorded six sacks a year ago.

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New York Jets and New England Patriots expected to make a ‘strong push’ for top cornerback

Andrew Buller-Russ — Sun, 09 Mar 2025 20:32:01 +0000

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The New York Jets and New England Patriots typically compete for positioning in the AFC East division as rivals. This offseason, they could find themselves competing to land the same player as both teams look to reshape their defenses around a new coaching staff.

Of course, the Patriots boast the NFL’s most cap space, whereas the Jets are looking for a new identity and need a new quarterback. Both teams do share another thing in common: They each have a first-year head coach with a defensive background. Yet, as noted, now they could be chasing after the same target in NFL free agency.

New York Jets + New England Patriots expected to have interest in Carlton Davis

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The NFL’s official tampering window to negotiate with free agents kicks off on Monday. Teams will then be able to freely discuss contract numbers with any free agent they want.

However, some NFL insiders are already a step ahead, hearing tidbits about which players some teams already reportedly have their eye on.

The latest NFL rumor comes from The Athletic’s Michael Silver, who says both the New York Jets and New England Patriots are expected to make a “strong push” to sign Detroit Lions free agent cornerback Carlton Davis.

“The New York Jets — whose newly hired head coach, Aaron Glenn, was the Lions’ defensive coordinator last season — and New England Patriots are believed to be among the teams who’ll make a strong push for Davis before the start of the league year, which officially begins Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET. Charvarius Ward (San Francisco 49ers) and Byron Murphy Jr. (Minnesota Vikings) are the other top cornerbacks on the market.”
The Athletic’s Michael Silver on New York Jets and New England Patriots

He’s coming off a three-year, $45 million contract, but now he’s reportedly looking for “much more” and is wanting to be paid like a “top 10 or top 15” cornerback. Tennessee’s L’Jarius Sneed was last year’s 10th-highest-paid cornerback and he has an annual average salary of $19.1 million. Davis likely wants more.

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NFL rumors: New England Patriots expected to aggressively pursue this All-Pro wide receiver

Matt Johnson — Sun, 09 Mar 2025 11:08:18 +0000

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The New England Patriots entered the offseason with glaring needs at wide receiver and along the offensive line. With some of the top options coming off the board before the start of NFL free agency, the Patriots are reportedly now pivoting to an aggressive pursuit of a new option.

Tee Higgins was believed to be New England’s top priority when the offseason began but he received the franchise tag from the Cincinnati Bengals. With Higgins off the board, offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley and guard Trey Smith became the team’s primary free-agent targets. Both are now off the market, with Stanley signing a new deal with the Baltimore Ravens and Smith being tagged by the Kansas City Chiefs.

It’s a significant blow for a team with more than $100 million in cap space with ambitions of adding a premium starter off the open market. With Higgins, Smith and Stanley now off the table, New England is reportedly focusing its efforts on a new addition to support Drake Maye.

According to Mike Giardi of the Boston Sports Journal, the Patriots are “expected to be the driver” in the free-agent market for wide receiver Chris Godwin. Poaching him from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will come at an extraordinary cost, though.

Tampa Bay is adamant about keeping its star No. 2 receiver. A second-team All-Pro selection in 2019, Godwin has been with the Buccaneers since being selected with the 84th pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. He played the Cooper Kupp role in Tampa Bay’s offense this past season, setting career-highs in receptions per game (7.1) and receiving yards per game (82.3) before suffering a season-ending injury.

Chris Godwin stats: 50 receptions, 576 receiving yards, 5 touchdowns in seven games

If New England wants to land Godwin, it will reportedly require a multi-year deal worth $25-plus million annually. A bidding war could potentially push his deal above the AAV that Mike Evans received last offseason ($52 million over two years). While Tampa Bay is adamant about keeping Godwin, the Patriots’ cap space could make them the new betting favorites to land him.

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NFL expert names heavy favorite to pull off DK Metcalf trade this offseason

Matt Johnson — Sat, 08 Mar 2025 21:03:48 +0000

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Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf requested a trade before the team sent quarterback Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders. While Seattle is still hopeful it can convince Metcalf to stay, there’s a clear trade market emerging for the Pro Bowl wide receiver.

Metcalf, a two-time Pro Bowl selection, is just entering his prime having turned 27 years old in December. The 6-foot-4 wideout is seeking a new contract, a multi-year extension worth $30-plus million annually that would make him one of the highest-paid players at his position.

DK Metcalf contract (Spotrac): $31.875 million cap hit, $18 million base salary in 2025

While NFL rumors surfaced on Saturday that the Seahawks front office is hopeful that signing Sam Darnold might convince Metcalf to stay, the All-Pro wideout still has permission to explore other options. In the days since making his trade request, a robust market has emerged.

The Green Bay Packers, Los Angeles Chargers, Houston Texans, Las Vegas Raiders and Carolina Panthers have all been linked to Metcalf. As of now, though, many around the league seem to share the same belief regarding what team will come out on top of a bidding war for him.

During a Friday appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com shared that many around the league believe Metcalf will be traded to the New England Patriots ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft.

“Everybody in the league thinks that DK Metcalf is going to New England. DK becomes available and you just talk to a bunch of buddies around the league. They’re like, ‘This just makes too much sense. They have all the money. They have all the space. They need a weapon.’ What are they picking, 38 or something like that? So second-round pick for DK Metcalf.”
Daniel Jeremiah on the buzz inside the NFL connecting DK Metcalf to the New England Patriots

Related: DK Metcalf trade landing spots

DK Metcalf stats (ESPN): 66 receptions, 992 receiving yards, 5 touchdowns in 15 games

New England wanted to sign Tee Higgins in NFL free agency, but he received the franchise tag from the Cincinnati Bengals for the second consecutive year. Chris Godwin is a pending free agent, but the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are adamant about signing him and few inside the Patriots’ organization think they can land him.

With more than $120 million in cap space, New England has the money to make Metcalf one of the highest-paid wide receivers in the NFL. Furthermore, the team feels confident it has a franchise-caliber quarterback in Drake Maye who would be appealing to Metcalf.

While the Patriots aren’t viewed as a contender right now, something Metcalf wants, money goes a long way. New England could also convince the 27-year-old that they are close to a turnaround, which he could be a part of while getting paid like one of the best offensive weapons in football. If the Seahawks ultimately trade Metcalf, the odds are strongly in the Patriots’ favor to land him.

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Seahawks’ huge DK Metcalf trade asking price for potential suitors like Raiders, Patriots, Chargers and Chiefs revealed

Jason Burgos — Thu, 06 Mar 2025 14:21:56 +0000

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A new rumor has revealed what it would take teams like the Kansas City Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders, and New England Patriots to complete a blockbuster DK Metcalf trade this offseason.

With the Super Bowl now in the distance, the NFL offseason is really starting to heat up. The 2025 NFL Draft is just a month away and NFL free agency starts next week. However, the trade market is setting up to be a busy part of the spring for many franchises around the league.

Last week, Los Angeles Rams star Matthew Stafford was in serious discussions about a potential trade. Multi-time Pro Bowler Jonathan Allen is up for grabs, and another huge name was added to trade rumors this week when it was reported Seattle Seahawks great DK Metcalf requested a trade out of town. The two-time Pro Bowler is in search of a new contract that the team is not interested in giving him.

Since the news broke, a plethora of franchises have been linked to the gifted receiver as a potential landing spot. But how much will it cost interested teams to get a deal done? Well, on Thursday, The Athletic NFL insider Dianna Russini shed some light on the current price to complete a DK Metcalf trade this offseason.

Seattle Seahawks looking for a first round pick in DK Metcalf trade

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“The Seahawks are seeking a first and third-round pick for WR DK Metcalf, per sources,” Russini revealed in a post on X. That is a sizable asking price for a very good, but not great receiver.

In comparison, the Kansas City Chiefs received five draft picks, but only one in the first round when they moved Tyreek Hill to the Miami Dolphins in 2022. He was already a seven-time Pro Bowler and, arguably, the game’s best receiver at that time.

The same year, the Green Bay Packers received two picks, one in the first round, when they traded Davante Adams to the Las Vegas Raiders. He was a six-time Pro Bowler at that point, and also in the discussion as the game’s best pass catcher.

Negotiations always start high. But the Seattle Seahawks will need to bring that price down if they want the Las Vegas Raiders, New England Patriots, and other likely suitors to make a real effort to complete a deal. Especially since Russini added that DK Metcalf “is also eyeing a new contract worth around $30M per year.”

DK Metcalf stats (2024): 66 catches, 992 receiving yards, 5 touchdowns, 15.0 yards per catch.

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New England Patriots reportedly interested in a pair of All-Pro receivers

Andrew Buller-Russ — Tue, 04 Mar 2025 19:25:44 +0000

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After securing their franchise quarterback in the 2024 NFL Draft by selecting Drake Maye third overall, the New England Patriots face even more pressure to fix their receiving corps this offseason. The good news is the Patriots have plenty of ammo to do so, boasting the most salary cap space in the NFL, with over $100 million to spend.

General manager Eliot Wolf knows the task at hand: add a weapon or two and fix an offensive line that allowed the NFL’s fifth-most sacks this offseason. With NFL free agency right around the corner, now we’ve learned who two of the Patriots’ potential targets could be.

New England Patriots expected to pursue Davante Adams and/or Cooper Kupp in free agency

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The New England Patriots have a young group of receivers brimming with potential. None of them may profile as future No. 1 receivers, but between DeMario Douglas, Ja’Lynn Polk, Kendrick Bourne, Javon Baker and Kayshon Boutte, the Patriots have several contenders for snaps. While it could change as they develop this offseason, none of those athletes strike any fear in their opponents as of right now.

Adding one or two impact playmakers could be easier than some imagine, and the Patriots are reportedly already monitoring the situations of two former All-Pro receivers.

According to Greg Bedard of the Boston Sports Journal, the Patriots are expected to have an interest in signing Davante Adams or Cooper Kupp if the star receivers become free agents.

“[The] Patriots would have interest in [Davante] Adams and [Cooper] Kupp – if they are released. Adams did very well in Josh McDaniels’ offense and any personal issues are overblown.”
BSJ’s Greg Bedard on New England Patriots’ WR plans

The Jets just released Adams, so he’s already free to negotiate with New York’s AFC East rivals if he wishes. Meanwhile, the Rams are still hoping to find a trade partner for Kupp, yet are running into issues due to his $29.7 million cap hit in 2025.

Either way, the Patriots are apparently interested in adding a star veteran receiver to a talent pool that still has a lot to prove.

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New England Patriots plan to ‘aggressively pursue’ All-Pro

Andrew Buller-Russ — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 17:36:28 +0000

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After finishing with a 4-13 record, the New England Patriots left plenty of room for improvement heading into the offseason. Improvements are needed on both sides of the ball, but after scoring the third-fewest points in the NFL, the Patriots’ offense is an especially weak point.

However, with Drake Maye leading the charge, there’s enough reason to believe New England’s scoring attack can take a significant step forward in 2025. But it won’t be done without improving in the trenches after allowing the fifth-most sacks in the NFL last season. Yet, part of their plans reportedly involve signing an All-Pro left tackle.

New England Patriots’ free agency plans include signing Ronnie Stanley

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While the New England Patriots were able to secure their franchise quarterback last offseason, now they need to come up with a plan on how they can protect him. They don’t have an established blindside protector, but that could change, even in free agency.

ESPN’s Patriots insider Mike Reiss reports from the NFL combine reveal that the Patriots plan to “aggressively pursue” Baltimore Ravens left tackle Ronnie Stanley in free agency.

“At the NFL scouting combine, one rival NFL executive said some of the buzz going around was that the Patriots would aggressively pursue veteran Baltimore Ravens left tackle Ronnie Stanley should he make it to unrestricted free agency.”
ESPN on New England Patriots

Stanley is set to turn 31 later this month but the one-time All-Pro is coming off the second Pro Bowl nod of his nine-year Ravens career. However, since the Patriots have the NFL’s most cap space, they should be able to offer more money than Baltimore can, which could be enough to convince Stanley to sign in New England.

Also Read:: New England Patriots mock draft 2025: Analysis for Patriots 7 round mock draft

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New England Patriots insider reveals team’s 4 top targets in NFL free agency

Matt Johnson — Sun, 02 Mar 2025 20:43:29 +0000

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The New England Patriots have the most cap space in the league this offseason, with more than $100 million that can be spent in NFL free agency. While a few of the top NFL free agents have come off the board, there are reportedly still several high-end Patriots free agent targets who could be signed.

When the 2025 NFL offseason began, guard Trey Smith and wide receiver Tee Higgins were viewed as the top Patriots free agent targets. With nearly $130 million in cap space, New England had the financial flexibility to get into a bidding war with anyone and come out on top. However, Higgins and Smith are receiving the franchise tag from their respective teams.

While that’s a bit of a blow to New England’s initial plans, there are still quality starters available at multiple positions of need. That includes the offensive line and at wide receiver, positions that the team is also expected to prioritize early in the 2025 NFL Draft.

According to Andrew Callahan and Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald, the Patriots’ top targets in NFL free agency are offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley, cornerback Charvarius Ward, wide receiver Chris Godwin and defensive tackle Milton Williams.

Importantly, the Patriots front office doesn’t expect all of its top targets to hit the open market. New England thinks it’s “doubtful” that Godwin will sign with another team as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are reportedly adamant about re-signing him.

The Baltimore Ravens will also attempt to re-sign Stanley, but the Pro Bowl left tackle is likely to reach the open market. With Smith staying in Kansas City, the free-agent market should be even stronger for Stanley as he would be the best offensive lineman available.

New England won’t have to be as worried about Williams re-signing with the Philadelphia Eagles. While the club would love to keep him, the market for his services is expected to eclipse $20 million per season. Coming off a breakout season – 10 QB hits, 7 tackles for loss and 5 sacks on a 48 percent snap rate – Williams will be in high demand as he heads into his age-26 campaign.

Ward, a Pro Bowl cornerback with the San Francisco 49ers in 2023, struggled last season following the death of his 1-year-old daughter in October. Ward has stated that the trauma his family experienced in California makes it highly unlikely he will return.

With each of the Patriots free agent targets, a position of need would be filled and it would provide the club with more flexibility in the 2025 NFL Draft. Signing Stanley could mean passing on LSU Tigers offensive lineman Will Campbell in favor of edge rusher Abdul Carter or defensive tackle Mason Graham. Likewise, signing Williams would allow New England to use the fourth overall pick on Campbell.

Also Read:: Insider sheds light on how Abdul Carter injury impacts his 2025 NFL Draft projection

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