Patriots 2023 NFL free agency tracker
FOXBORO -- NFL free agency is underway. The legal tampering window is over, and a new league year has officially begun.
The Patriots were spectators to start, but they have been making some moves. They made a pretty big splash at wide receiver on Wednesday afternoon, while also adding some depth to the offensive line and bringing back some important players on defense ahead of free agency.
But they've also said farewell to some important players, leaving voids on the roster.
Here's a quick snapshot of all that has gone down from a Patriots standpoint -- plus a few needs that were either present ahead of free agency or popped up because of a few departures.
Free Agent Signings
JuJu Smith-Schuster, Wide Receiver
The Patriots reportedly beat out the Chiefs and landed one of the best receivers on the market with a three-year, $33 million contract. Smith-Schuster had 78 receptions for 933 yards and three touchdowns over 16 games for Kansas City last season.
Mike Gesicki, Tight End
The Patriots reportedly signed the former Dolphins tight end to a one-year deal worth up to $9 million as they continue to revamp the offense this offseason. Gesicki is coming off a 2022 season where he had five touchdowns but just 32 receptions and 362 receiving yards.
James Robinson, Running Back
With Damien Harris likely departing via free agency, the Patriots reportedly signed Robinson to a two-year deal worth up to $8 million on Wednesday. His had two solid seasons in Jacksonville before his 2021 season ended early because of a torn Achilles. He wasn't able to regain his form between the Jags and the Jets in 2022.
Riley Reiff, Offensive Tackle
The Patriots reportedly added the veteran tackle on Wednesday. Terms of the deal have not yet been reported, but Reiff brings 11 years of experience to New England and should compete for the starting right tackle job.
Calvin Anderson, Offensive Tackle
Reiff will be competing with another newcomer at tackle in Anderson, who reportedly agreed to a two-year deal on Tuesday. Anderson entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Patriots in 2019, and has started 12 of the 41 games that he's played over his three-year career in the league. He started seven of the 14 games that he played in last season as a member of the Denver Broncos.
Re-Signings
Matthew Slater, Special Teams
New England's longtime special teams captain announced in mid-February that he would be returning for a 16th NFL season.
Jonathan Jones, Cornerback
New England reportedly re-signed Jones to a two-year deal worth up to $20 million, with $13 million guaranteed.
Jabrill Peppers, Safety
Peppers reportedly got a two-year deal from the Patriots, and could see a bigger role in the secondary in his second season with the team.
Raekwon McMillan, Linebacker
The linebacker is back on a one-year contract worth up to $2.2 million.
Mack Wilson, Linebacker
The Pats are bringing back the athletic Wilson on a one-year deal worth up to $2.2 million, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. The versatile linebacker was acquired from Cleveland for Chase Winovich ahead of last season and played mostly on special teams in his first season in New England.
Carl Davis, Defensive Tackle
Davis is reportedly back with the Patriots on a one-year deal. A depth piece along the defensive line, Davis has played in 33 games for New England over the last two seasons.
James Ferentz, Center
In the week prior to free agency, the Patriots reportedly re-signed Ferentz to a one-year deal with a base salary of $1.165 million.
Conor McDermott, Offensive Tackle
In another move before free agency began, the Patriots reportedly brought back McDermott on a two-year deal.
Daniel Ekuale, Defensive Lineman
Ekuale will be back for a third season with the Patriots, after registering a pair of sacks over 15 games in 2022.
Joe Cardona, Long Snapper
The Patriots reportedly gave Cardona (whose signing was first reported by Jason McCourty) a four-year deal. Heading into his ninth season with the team, Cardona is the second-longest tenured Patriot after Slater.
Departures
Jakobi Meyers, Wide Receiver (reportedly signed with Las Vegas Raiders)
Meyers will no longer be one of Mac Jones' favorite targets, after reportedly agreeing to a three-year, $33 million contract with the Raiders. The move will reunite him with Josh McDaniels in Vegas, where he'll be catching passes from Jimmy Garoppolo.
Jalen Mills, Cornerback
The Patriots are reportedly releasing the veteran defensive back, saving the team roughly $5 million in cap space.
UPDATE: Mills has reportedly been brought back -- but as a safety.
Nelson Agholor, Wide Receiver (reportedly signed with Baltimore Ravens)
Agholor reportedly agreed to a one-year deal with the Ravens after two disappointing seasons in New England.
Jonnu Smith, Tight End (traded to Falcons)
The Patriots have reportedly moved on from Smith -- one of the team's big free-agent signings of 2021 -- after two disappointing seasons. Smith was sent to Atlanta for a 2023 seventh-round pick.
Devin McCourty, Safety (retired)
McCouty retired after 13 seasons in the NFL -- all with the Patriots -- which leaves a big void in both the New England secondary and inside the locker room.
Jake Bailey, Punter (released)
An odd few months for Bailey -- once one of the best punters in the game -- came to an end last week when the Patriots released the former All-Pro. The move comes less than a year after the Patriots gave Bailey an extension that made him one of the highest-paid punters in the NFL.
Brian Hoyer, Quarterback
The veteran backup has been released, ending his third stint in New England.
Needs
Wide Receiver(s): This was a need at receiver before Meyers left town, and remains a need even with Smith-Schuster in the fold.
The Patriots have reportedly been in talks with several available wide receivers.
Safety: McCourty's retirement elevates the need for a veteran safety to step up, and for the team to add more depth at the position. Peppers could potentially become the team's starting free safety, but more depth is needed.
Outside Corner: Jonathan Jones is back, and Jack Jones and Marcus Jones showed signs of being solid secondary contributors during their rookie seasons. But even three Joneses won't be enough to combat all the firepower that's now in the AFC East.
With the release of Mills, New England's need for a corner grew even greater.
Inside Linebacker: The Patriots are always looking to get more athletic at linebacker.
Punter: The Patriots don't have one at the moment, and chances are they'll be punting quite a bit (again) in 2023.
