Free agent felt like Patriots ‘wanted me more’ before signing
In the first week of free agency, the New England Patriots made Armon Watts their lone defensive line signing of the offseason so far. On Thursday Watts talked to New England media for the first time, and relayed the Patriots showed urgency in landing him.
“They were a team that showed interest early on [in free agency],” Watts recalled. “Pittsburgh showed some interest, but at the end of the day I think New England wanted me more.”
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“The record really wasn’t a dealbreaker for me. I know this is a great defense,” Watts continued. “It’s a good organization.” Watts also highlighted new head coach Jerod Mayo, saying that as a former player himself he “knows the blueprint” for players to be successful in the NFL.
Watts got a one-year, $3 million contract from the Patriots back in mid-March. It represented a pay bump from the one-year, $1.23 million contract he signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers at this time last year.
In 2023 Watts appeared in 15 games for the Steelers recording 15 tackles. His best NFL season came in 2021, when he had 20 tackles and five sacks for the Minnesota Vikings.
With the Patriots, Watts adds defensive line depth at multiple spots. “I’ve been able to play up and down the line,” Watts noted on Thursday. He’ll likely compete with players like Trysten Hill and Sam Roberts for playing time.
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New Patriots jersey numbers revealed for 2024 season
CB Christian Gonzalez: 0
Sep 10, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez (6) prepares for a game against the Philadelphia Eagles during the warm-up period at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
Last year the NFL allowed players to wear No. 0 for the first time since 1973. That seemed to line up perfectly for the Patriots’ top draft pick, who wore the number in college. Yet when the jersey numbers were released he ended up in No. 6, with the Patriots not issuing No. 0 to any player. However, a year later he’ll be back in his college number, making him the first Patriots player to wear it.
WR K.J. Osborn: 2
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – DECEMBER 24: K.J. Osborn #17 of the Minnesota Vikings carries the ball against the Detroit Lions during the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 24, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
Osborn wore No. 2 at Miami, but then No. 17 for the Vikings for the last four years. In New England he’s back in No. 2, which was last worn by Jalen Mills.
WR Demario Douglas: 3
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – OCTOBER 22: Demario Douglas #81 of the New England Patriots carries the ball during a game against the Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium on October 22, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)
Another player going back to his college number, Douglas goes from No. 81 back to No. 3. Mack Wilson wore the number last year, and it was most famously worn by Stephen Gostkowski from 2006-2019.
QB Jacoby Brissett: 14
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – DECEMBER 24: Jacoby Brissett #12 of the Washington Commanders looks to pass during the second half against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on December 24, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
Last time Jacoby Brissett played for the Patriots he wore No. 7. That’s now taken by JuJu Smith-Schuster, so Brissett is doubling that to the No. 14. He previously wore that number during his stint with the Dolphins.
LB Sione Takitaki: 16
CLEVELAND, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 18: Sione Takitaki #44 of the Cleveland Browns reacts after a play against the New York Jets during the second half at FirstEnergy Stadium on September 18, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)
Takitaki is also going back to his college number – he wore No. 16 at BYU. He’d be just the seventh Patriot to wear the number in a regular season game, joining Jim Plunkett, Matt Cassel, Jakobi Meyers, Malik Cunningham, and our own Scott Zolak.
RB Antonio Gibson: 21
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – NOVEMBER 12: Antonio Gibson #24 of the Washington Commanders scores a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks during the fourth quarter at Lumen Field on November 12, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
New running back Antonio Gibson will wear No. 21 for the first time, after wearing No. 14 in college at Memphis, then No. 24 with the Commanders the last few years. He takes the number over from Adrian Phillips, who was released earlier this offseason. He’s the first offensive player to wear No. 21 for the Patriots since Fred Taylor in 2009 and 2010.
S Jaylinn Hawkins: 32
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – DECEMBER 18: Chris Olave #12 of the New Orleans Saints is tackled by Jaylinn Hawkins #32 of the Atlanta Falcons during the first half at Caesars Superdome on December 18, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
Jaylinn Hawkins takes over No. 32, which went unissued last year after Devin McCourty’s retirement. The Patriots don’t retire a ton of numbers so it’s possible it’s back in circulation now. Hawkins wore 32 the last four years in Atlanta.
OL Nick Leverett: 51
TAMPA, 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)
The Patriots are going to need to dust off No. 51, which hasn’t been worn since Ja’Whaun Bentley changed his number after the 2020 season. Leverett wore 60 in Tampa the last few years.
OL Michael Jordan: 74
Nov 21, 2021; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers guard Mike Jordan (73) is introduced before the game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Jordan gets No. 74 after wearing No. 73 and No. 60 earlier in his NFL career. Riley Reiff wore this number last year, and the last longer-term holder was defensive tackle Kyle Love from 2010 to 2012.
OT Chukwuma Okorafor: 77
Oct 30, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Chukwuma Okorafor (76) against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Jerod Mayo suggested during a media availability earlier this offseason that Okorafor could be the Patriots’ starting left tackle to open camp. If that’s the case, he’ll be taking over both Trent Brown’s job and jersey number.
TE Austin Hooper: 81
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – OCTOBER 22: Austin Hooper #81 of the Las Vegas Raiders runs with the ball after a reception against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on October 22, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Pop Douglas switching to No. 3 opened up No. 81 for Hooper. It’s the only number he has worn during his eight-year NFL career, spanning four different teams.
WR Kawaan Baker: 86
Aug 20, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Kawaan Baker (15) during pregame warmups before a game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium. Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Baker wore No. 15 in college and has worn No. 15, No. 80, and No. 87 in the NFL. Despite 15 technically being open after Ezekiel Elliott wore it last year, he goes with No. 86.
DL Armon Watts: 94
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – OCTOBER 09: Armon Watts #96 of the Chicago Bears warms up against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on October 09, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
Last year with the Steelers, Watts wore No. 94 for the first time. He gets it back this year for the Patriots, becoming the first Patriots player to wear it since Henry Anderson in 2021.
