Patriots kick off legal tampering period with major FA splashes
Bill Belichick apparently wasn't pleased with his first losing season since 2000.
The New England Patriots - not usually aggressive in free agency - made several splashes to kick off the NFL's legal tampering period Monday.
Belichick began the day by agreeing to terms with former Tennessee Titans tight end Jonnu Smith on a four-year, $50-million contract. Smith was viewed as one of the premier offensive weapons available on the open market while filling a major need on the Patriots' roster.
New England is also adding defensive back Jalen Mills on a four-year, $24-million deal and nose tackle Davon Godchaux on a two-year, $16-million pact.
Perhaps the biggest splash came later in the afternoon when the Patriots agreed to sign former Baltimore Ravens edge defender Matt Judon to a four-year contract worth $56 million. New England then reached an agreement to re-sign fellow edge defender Deatrich Wise.
Smith and Judon are set to become the highest-paid skill and defensive players in team history, according to MMQB's Albert Breer.
Later in the evening, the Pats reached a two-year, $26-million agreement with wideout Nelson Agholor, and they added Kendrick Bourne. The two will front a receiving corps that didn't feature anyone who went over 800 yards or 60 receptions in 2020.
The AFC East club also continued to bolster its defensive line by adding Henry Anderson, who inked a two-year deal.
Despite the new league year not starting yet, New England will have spent its most guaranteed money on free agents in any offseason over the last decade, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Monday's moves come shortly after the Patriots re-signed quarterback Cam Newton and agreed to two trades. New England acquired Trent Brown from the Las Vegas Raiders last week and then sent Marcus Cannon to the Houston Texans this past weekend.
Belichick and the Patriots are expected to remain aggressive during the free-agency period as they look to rebound from a 7-9 campaign.
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