Entering this offseason, tackle was one of if not the biggest projected need for the Patriots. With strong tackle classes in both free agency and the draft, some expected the team to make a splash at a position. It looks like they may have found their guy, although the move was more under the radar than what people were thinking.

On Wednesday the Patriots signed 11-year veteran Riley Reiff. The details of his contract are now out, and suggest the team views him as more than a tryout player.

According to multiple reports, Reiff’s contract has a total value of up to $5 million for one year. Of that five million, $4.15 million is guaranteed including a $2.7 million signing bonus. According to Patriots salary cap expert Miguel Benzan, Reiff is expected to carry a cap hit of $5 million into 2023.

That’s not the kind of contract a team would give a player they don’t expect to make it out of training camp. Given the Patriots would clear less than $1 million if they release him, it’s all a strong indication he’s a big part of their plans for 2023.

As things currently stand, that $5 million means Reiff would be tied as the 15th highest-paid right tackle in the NFL. That’s an indication the team at least views him as a strong candidate to start on the right side opposite Trent Brown.

Reiff, 34, began his career as a left tackle but has spent the last two years as a right tackle with the Bengals and Bears. He’s played in 28 games making 22 starts in that time (12 in 2021 with the Bengals and 10 last year with the Bears), allowing 39 pressures and seven sacks in 715 pass blocking snaps.

Now, this doesn’t automatically lock Reiff into the starting role. The team could still invest a high draft pick in a right tackle (Dawand Jones of Ohio State is the top right tackle in this year’s class) to compete with Reiff for the job in camp. But right now, it looks like he’ll have the inside track early on.

Reiff isn’t the only tackle the Patriots have signed this week either. They also brought in Calvin Anderson from the Denver Broncos, who projects as more of a left tackle. Anderson will likely compete for the backup left tackle job behind Trent Brown.

For the time being, it does look like the Patriots have a plan in place at both tackle spots. The door is still wide open for things to change between now and Week 1, but they’ve added some structure to a position where they had just two players under contract at this time last week.

For more updates, be sure to follow our Patriots Free Agency Tracker.

Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at abarth@985TheSportsHub.com.