clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

2021 NFL free agency: Patriots sign defensive back Jalen Mills to four-year, $24 million contract

Related: Patriots free agency tracker: News, rumors, signings, instant analysis

Philadelphia Eagles v Cleveland Browns Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images

The New England Patriots’ free agency spending spree continues. After the team already signed three players to big-money contracts just hours into the legal tampering period — tight end Jonnu Smith, defensive tackle Davon Godchaux, linebacker Matt Judon — it has now brought in a defensive back as well: Jalen Mills will arrive in New England on a four-year, $24 million contract, as first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Mills originally joined the NFL as a seventh-round draft pick by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2016, and played 63 regular season games as well as four playoff contest for the organization over the next five years. While he started out as a cornerback, he moved into a more versatile role over the 2020 season: Mills saw most of his snaps as a box safety, while also seeing plenty of action back deep or at the outside and slot cornerback spots.

Even though the Patriots already had one of the deepest defensive backfields in the NFL entering the offseason, Mills gives them another versatile player to bolster its overall depth.

Poll

How would you grade the Patriots’ decision to sign Jalen Mills?

This poll is closed

  • 19%
    A
    (431 votes)
  • 45%
    B
    (986 votes)
  • 26%
    C
    (576 votes)
  • 5%
    D
    (122 votes)
  • 3%
    F
    (68 votes)
2183 votes total Vote Now