Patriots announce official signing of 3 rookies, 9 UDFAs
On Friday, the New England Patriots rookies began the process of officially signing their first NFL contracts.
Rookie minicamp is underway for the New England Patriots this weekend, marking the first time their draft picks from the 2024 NFL Draft and undrafted free agents (UDFAs) take part in an NFL practice. For a few of the Patriots rookies Friday marked another big step – signing their first NFL contracts.
On Friday afternoon, the Patriots announced three draft picks have officially signed their rookie contracts. They also announced the signing of nine UDFAs.
NFL rookie contracts are mostly pre-determined, but aren’t always signed right away. Signings typically continue league-wide leading up to training camp in July. Players who haven’t signed can still take part in spring practices.
READ MORE: Patriots rookies get their jersey numbers for 2024
The Patriots began the process with their three final draft picks. Sixth-round picks defensive back Marcellas Dial and quarterback Joe Milton and seventh-round pick tight end Jaheim Bell have all now signed their rookie deals, according to the team.
All three contracts – as is the case for all rookies drafted from the second round on – are four-year deals. According to Patriots salary cap expert Miguel Benzan, All three contracts are projected as worth up to just over $4 million over four years. Dial’s estimates out to $212K in guaranteed money and will count $848K against the salary cap in 2024. Milton’s contract includes $183K in guaranteed money, with a projected 2024 cap hit of $840K. Bell’s contract has $106K in guaranteed money, with a $821K cap hit.

In addition to those three signings, the Patriots announced the official addition of nine undrafted free agents. That group is make up of running back DeShaun Fenwick, tight end Jacob Warren, offensive linemen Zuri Henry and Charles Turner, defensive lineman John Morgan, linebacker Jontrey Hunter, and defensive backs Kaleb Ford-Demont, Mikey Victor, and Dell Pettus.
Following the draft the Patriots were initially reported to have signed 10 UDFAs. The University of Texas football X/Twitter account had shared that EDGE rusher Jett Bush was signing with the team, but Bush wasn’t included in Friday’s announcement with the other Patriots rookies. It’s possible Bush was brought it for a rookie minicamp tryout rather than on a full contract, or he won’t be joining the team after all.
We’ll get a chance to see if Bush is on the field with the rest of the Patriots rookie on Saturday, when the team opens up one day of rookie minicamp to the media. 985TheSportsHub.com will have full coverage, with head coach Jerod Mayo set to speak at 10:45 a.m. ahead of the 11:00 practice.
Read more about the Patriots rookies below…