The Patriots still have one ERFA unsigned ahead of Wednesday’s deadline
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – AUGUST 29: Niko Lalos #57 of the New York Giants attempts to tackle Tre Nixon #87 of the New England Patriots at MetLife Stadium on August 29, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
In the NFL, players who are on expiring contracts with fewer than three years of NFL service time become ‘exclusive rights free agents’ or ERFAs. Prior to the official start of free agency, teams can tender any ERFAs they have on a minimum-money deal, esencially guaranteeding their return.
The New England Patriots had five ERFA qualifying players heading into 2024 NFL Free Agency. As of Tuesday, at least four are coming back.
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On Thursday afternoon the team announced on social media the re-signing of three ERFAs. Two – quarterback Nathan Rourke and offensive tackle Tyrone Wheatley Jr. – had previously been reported.
That third previously-unreported tender went to linebacker Christian Elliss. The Patriots initially claimed Elliss, 25, off waivers this past December from the Philadelphia Eagles. He appeared in four games for the Patriots down the stretch, exclusively on special teams. If he makes the team in 2024 he’ll likely be back in a special teams role, especially after the release of linebacker Chris Board earlier this week.
Prior to joining the Patriots, Elliss spent his first two-plus NFL seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles. In Philly Elliss mostly played special teams, but did contribute on defense in a depth role.
With Elliss, Rourke, Wheatley, and cornerback Alex Austin all now tendered (Austin confirmed his own re-signing last week), the Patriots have just one ERFA remaining. That’s wide receiver Tre Nixon, the team’s seventh-round pick in 2021. Nixon, 26, spent all of last year on IR after suffering a preseason shoulder injury. He’s spent his entire Patriots career on the practice squad, and has never appeared in a regular season NFL game.
The deadline to tender ERFAs is the start of the new league year (Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET). After that, those players become unrestricted free agents.
For more free agency updates regarding the Patriots and for news around the NFL, check out our Free Agency Tracker below…
NFL Free Agency Tracker, Day 3: The latest as the league year kicks off
Patriots, J.C. Jackson have mutual interest
The Patriots have a sneaky need at outside corner behind Christian Gonzalez. It appears that they could make that happen with a familiar face.
According to
The #Patriots and cornerback J.C. Jackson have mutual interest in a return despite his March 1 release, per source. Could be a down-the-line development for the player and team, but something to keep in mind as New England's cornerback outlook shapes up this offseason
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) March 13, 2024" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, there’s mutual interest between the Patriots and J.C. Jackson for a new deal, despite the cornerback’s March 1 release. Fowler believes this “could be a down-the-line development” for the two sides.So, Jackson may not be generating much interest around the league, making a return to New England an attractive option for him. That’s especially considering he could still be the Pats’ clear No. 2 outside corner on the current roster. Pats fans could be left waiting until the spring or summer for the team to find another starting corner.
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – NOVEMBER 26: J.C. Jackson #29 of the New England Patriots reacts after a play during the first half against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on November 26, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
