Patriots add two more futures contracts
On Thursday afternoon the New England Patriots made a second round of futures contracts signings.
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 27: Elijah Mitchell #25 of the San Francisco 49ers runs with the ball in the first half of a game against the New Orleans Saints at Levi’s Stadium on November 27, 2022 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Ezra Shaw/Getty ImagesOn Wednesday afternoon, the New England Patriots announced the signings of two additional futures contracts. Running back Elijah Mitchell and tackle Sebastian Gutierrez have signed to begin the start the new league year with the team.
Both Mitchell and Gutierrez spent time on the Patriots' practice squad in 2025, but did not appear in any games for the team. Mitchell is a five-year NFL vet who spent most of his career with the San Francisco 49ers. Gutierrez has bounced around the NFL since entering the league as a UDFA in 2022, including a previous stint with the Patriots.
By signing futures contracts, Mitchell and Gutierrez now have spots on the Patriots' roster when the roster limit expands from 53 players to 90 when the new league year begins on March 11. Futures deals are usually minimum-money contracts, which don't officially kick in until the new league year begins. They allow teams mostly to retain players from their practice squads. Only players who were not under contract at the end of the season are eligible for futures deals.
With these deals, the Patriots have now signed a total of 13 players to futures contracts after signing 11 of their own practice squad players on Wednesday. There is not limit to how many futures contracts can sign, as long as they to not exceed the 90-man roster (most teams don't come close to that number, to save room for free agents and draft picks).
Futures contracts do not apply to players on the active roster or IR with expiring contracts. The Patriots have 14 such pending free agents, including six unrestricted free agents.
