Brenden Schooler gets contract extension from Patriots

As the New England Patriots have gone through ups and downs on offense and defense to start the 2024 NFL season, the special teams unit has been a pretty consistent bright spot. PFF ranks the Patriots as the top special teams unit in the NFL through five games. On Friday, the team made a move to keep one of the leaders in that group in the building long-term.

That player is coverage specialist Brenden Schooler, who the team signed to a three-year, $9 million extension as first reported by NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. The deal includes $3.6 million in guaranteed money, and is worth up to $10.5 million with incentives.

Schooler is currently in the final year of his rookie contract and was set to be a restricted free agent this spring. This deal keeps him with the Patriots through 2027.

Schooler, 27, joined the Patriots as a UDFA in 2022 out of Texas. He's been a fixture on the Patriots' special teams units since. Last year, Schooler was tied for fifth in the NFL with 10 special teams tackles per PFF. He was voted to the NFLPA All-Pro Team after the season.

This year, Schooler has taken over some of the responsibilities formerly held by Matthew Slater, who retired in the offseason. Schooler's five special teams tackles are tied for the third-most in the NFL through five games. Last week he blocked the first punt of his career (he had a blocked field goal last season).

“School is his own coach, at the end of the day,” special teams coordinator Jeremy Springer said of Schooler on Friday, crediting the work he puts in during the week to prepare for his unique role. “Him, Slater, Coach [Tom] Quinn, they do such a great job with Schooler, and Schooler does such a great job with himself throughout the week."

Schooler and the Patriots return to action this Sunday against the Houston Texans. It's a 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff at Gillette Stadium, with pregame coverage beginning at 10:00 a.m. on 98.5 The Sports Hub and the Patriots Radio Network.