Report: Patriots ‘working towards’ another reunion on defense

One of the themes of this offseason for the Patriots was reunions. Players such as Trent Brown and Kyle Van Noy returned for second stints in New England. Four weeks into the regular season, Bill Belichick isn’t done setting up homecomings.

As first reported by

A reunion in the making: the Patriots are working towards a deal with free agent LB Jamie Collins to bring him back for his third stint with the team, per source.

Collins should be able to contribute right away given his familiarity with the system.

— Field Yates (@FieldYates) October 5, 2021">ESPN’s Field Yates, the Patriots are “working towards a deal” to bring back linebacker Jamie Collins, who was released by the Detroit Lions last week.

Source confirms the Patriots and Jamie Collins are working on a reunion. Nothing official but a deal could happen this week. @FieldYates was on it first.

— Doug Kyed (@DougKyed) October 5, 2021">PFF’s Doug Kyed followed that up by saying that there is “nothing official but a deal could happen this week.”

Collins was originally drafted by the Patriots in the second round in 2013, before being traded to Cleveland during the 2016 season. He returned to New England on a one-year contract in 2019, before signing a three-year, $30 million contract with Detroit in 2020.

While bouncing in and out of New England, Collins has always played his best football under Bill Belichick. His 

The #Lions are releasing veteran LB Jamie Collins, per @TomPelissero

Career grade in NE: 90.0
Career grade elsewhere: 56.0

Should the Patriots bring back Collins for a third tenure? pic.twitter.com/LXmkfgZf94

— PFF NE Patriots (@PFF_Patriots) September 28, 2021">career PFF grade is 90 in New England, compared to 56 in his time with the Browns and Lions.

By adding Collins, the Patriots build on what is already tremendous depth in the front seven. He’ll join Dont’a Hightower, Kyle Van Noy, Ja’Whaun Bentley, Matt Judon, Josh Uche, and Chase Winovich in the linebacker room.

The Patriots will need to open up a roster spot once they have an official deal with Collins. Look for the team to move defensive lineman Henry Anderson to IR, following a report that he could be out for the year with a pectoral injury.

• Cleveland Browns v Baltimore Ravens

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  BALTIMORE, MD - NOVEMBER 10: Wide receiver Steve Smith #89 of the Baltimore Ravens is tackled by outside linebacker Jamie Collins #51 of the Cleveland Browns in the first quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on November 10, 2016 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

• New England Patriots v Washington Redskins

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  Jamie Collins #58 of the New England Patriots celebrates after causing Colt McCoy #12 of the Washington Redskins a to fumble the ball during the second half at FedExField on October 6, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)

• Detroit Lions v Tennessee Titans

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  NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - DECEMBER 20: Quarterback Ryan Tannehill #17 of the Tennessee Titans throws a pass over outside linebacker Jamie Collins #58 of the Detroit Lions during the second quarter of the game at Nissan Stadium on December 20, 2020 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
• NFL: San Francisco 49ers at Detroit Lions

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  Sep 12, 2021; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Lions outside linebacker Jamie Collins (8) celebrates after recovering a fumble during the first quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

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Alex Barth is a writer and 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. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at abarth@985TheSportsHub.com.