There’s still a way for the Patriots to make a splash
The New England Patriots’ free agency period has been underwhelming. But there’s still a way for them to create some real fireworks.
And yes, that would still entail re-signing a player they already have. But Christian Barmore is no depth piece. He’s no complementary player. He’s a true difference-maker for the Patriots’ defensive front, and so signing him to a contract extension would be a home run swing, a significantly bigger move than any of the Pats’ other signings to date.
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The Patriots are “expected” to begin “extension talks” with Barmore, according to ESPN’s Mike Reiss in his Sunday column. This would come after Barmore logged a career-high 8.5 sacks and 19 quarterback pressures in 2023. Reiss also reported that the Pats are talking to linebacker Matthew Judon about a new contract.
Sep 25, 2022; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots defensive tackle Christian Barmore (90) reacts during the first half against the Baltimore Ravens at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports
Barmore especially turned it on starting in Week 7 against the Bills, racking up 7.5 sacks and 15 QB hits over his final 11 games of the season. He also showed improvement as a run-stopper, with a career-best 64 total tackles. Barmore ended up with the eighth-best grade among interior defenders at Pro Football Focus.
Extending Barmore obviously doesn’t improve or add to the Patriots’ existing roster for 2024. With approx. $51 million in salary cap space (h/t Miguel Benzan), one would think they can afford at least one major addition to the team.
But what a Barmore extension does accomplish is massively reinforce the Patriots’ roster for 2025 and beyond. Otherwise, he’s most certainly going to have a huge market as a free agent a year from now. The Patriots hit on Barmore as the 38th pick in the 2021 draft, big-time, and can’t afford to lose that.
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So, a Barmore extension should excite Patriots fans the way an expensive free agent would. He’s the closest thing they have to a game-breaker on either side of the ball. Ensuring he stays in the fold should be among Eliot Wolf’s top priorities.
And the best time to do it is right now.
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Matt Dolloff is a writer and podcaster for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Check out all of Matt’s content.
Patriots free agency tracker: The latest news & rumors out of New England
The New England Patriots have been throwing plenty of money around in free agency, and we’ve got you covered on it all here at the Patriots free agency tracker.
Most of the money the Pats have thrown around has been at their own players. Key pieces like Michael Onwenu, Kendrick Bourne, Hunter Henry, Josh Uche, and Anfernee Jennings have all agreed to new deals to stay in New England.
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But the team has also filled needs at various other spots on the roster with outside additions. They added a veteran quarterback in Jacoby Brissett, a tight end in Austin Hooper, a tackle in Chukwuma Okorafor, and an off-ball linebacker in Sione Takitaki. Get a quick list of every signing.
Aug 19, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) throws during the second half against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
As we head into day 4 of the free agency period, the Patriots still have needs and enough cap space for a big signing or two. However, the market has thinned at their positions of need and they may also need to explore trade ideas.
We’ll have every piece of Patriots news & rumors for you as the open market rolls along. Read below for the latest in the live tracker…
Patriots add new wide receiver
The New England Patriots are bringing in a new wide receiver via free agency.
As first reported by the NFL Network’s
The #Patriots are adding again, this time signing former #Vikings WR K.J. Osborn, per me and @TomPelissero. pic.twitter.com/jrs3dezclW
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 17, 2024" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ian Rapoport, the Patriots are signing former Minnesota Vikings receiver K.J. Osborn. Osborn has played 50 of a possible 51 games over the past three seasons, averaging 54 catches, 627 yards, and five touchdowns per 17 games in that span.Read more on the Patriots’ newest signing.
David Berding/Getty ImagesMINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – DECEMBER 24: K.J. Osborn #17 of the Minnesota Vikings catches a pass against the Detroit Lions during the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 24, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
Showing interest in Tyler Boyd
According to Mark Daniels at MassLive, the Patriots are showing interest in veteran free-agent wide receiver Tyler Boyd.
Boyd, 29, has long been a steady presence at WR for the Bengals, including a 90-catch season in 2019. His production has dipped in recent years, as the Bengals added Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins to the depth chart. He’d be a good, solid signing for the Patriots, just not the big difference-maker the team needs.
Joe Sargent/Getty ImagesPITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – DECEMBER 23: Tyler Boyd #83 of the Cincinnati Bengals runs with the ball during the first quarter of a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium on December 23, 2023 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
Patriots sign G Nick Leverett
The Patriots are signing former Bucs guard Nick Leverett to a one-year deal worth up to $3 million, according to Jeremy Fowler. Terms of the contract have yet to be reported. Leverett started 10 games for the Bucs in 2022, but played only three games with no offensive snaps in 2023.
Mike Ehrmann/Getty ImagesTAMPA, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 02: Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers fist bumps Nick Leverett #60 prior to the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Raymond James Stadium on October 02, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Patriots Free-Agent Signings
Maddie Meyer/Getty ImagesFOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – SEPTEMBER 17: New England Patriots helmets on the bench at Gillette Stadium on September 17, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Here’s a full list of the Patriots’ free agent signings and the basic numbers attached to them. This list will continue to be updated as the Pats make more signings…
Name Position Contract Hunter Henry TE 3 years, $27 million, $15.8M guaranteed Kendrick Bourne WR 3 years, $19.5 million, $5.5M guaranteed Michael Onwenu OL 3 years, $57 million, $36.5M guaranteed Jalen Reagor WR 1 year, $1.3 million, $442,500 guaranteed Sione Takitaki LB 2 years, $6.645 million, $2M guaranteed Chukwuma Okorafor OT 1 year, $4 million, $3.25M guaranteed Josh Uche LB 1 year, $3 million, $2.23M guaranteed Austin Hooper TE 1 year, $4.25 million Anfernee Jennings LB 3 years, $12 million Armon Watts DL 1 years, $3 million Nick Leverett OG TBD
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Matt Dolloff is a writer and podcaster for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Check out all of Matt’s content.
