Patriots Re-Sign Marquis Flowers To One-Year Deal
The Patriots are bringing back linebacker Marquis Flowers on a one-year deal worth up to $2.55 million. His agent, Sean Stelatto, confirmed the deal to reporters on Thursday.
New England originally acquired Flowers in a trade with the Cincinnati Bengals at the end of August. The Patriots sent their seventh-round pick in this year’s draft in exchange for the linebacker. He gets a healthy pay-bump with his new deal; he’s earned just over $2.1 million in four NFL seasons.
Flowers played in all 16 games for the Patriots in 2017, starting two. He played 209 special teams snaps (46.3 percent) and chipped in on defense with 283 defensive snaps (26.7 percent). He had a good game on defense against the Titans in the AFC Divisional Playoff, logging four tackles and a sack.
He played reasonably well for the balance of the season, considering his role and the circumstances on the Patriots defense. In total, he compiled 30 total tackles, 3.5 sacks, two passes defensed, and a forced fumble.
Marquis Flowers of the New England Patriots tackles Marcus Mariota of the Tennessee Titans in the third quarter of the AFC Divisional Playoff game at Gillette Stadium on January 13, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
You may also remember Flowers’ Twitter beef with Greg Bedard of the Boston Sports Journal. Bedard was critical of the way Bill Belichick used Flowers in Super Bowl LII. Eagles running back Corey Clement caught a pivotal touchdown pass in the third quarter with Flowers attempting to cover him.
If Flowers is used mainly as a special teamer and is strictly a depth linebacker for the defense, then the Patriots should make out well with him back in the fold. But it’s still not an addition that will really move the needle at the position, which could still use some reinforcements – but those could be coming in the draft.
— By Matt Dolloff, 985TheSportsHub.com
Matt Dolloff is a digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff or email him at [email protected].
Sources:
— Stats via Pro Football Reference
— Salary information via Spotrac
