2021 NFL free agency: Lawrence Guy set to return to Patriots on reported four-year deal

The New England Patriots aren’t finished signing free agents just yet.

According to ESPN’s Mike Reiss, the team has agreed on a four-year deal with Lawrence Guy to keep the veteran defensive tackle in New England through his age 35 season. The Patriots are therefore adding to a busy day in which they already re-signed fan favorite James White and added veteran special teamer LaRoy Reynolds.

Since arriving in New England, Guy has built a reputation for being a reliable interior presence, amassing 235 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, and 13.5 sacks over his first four seasons. A first time captain in 2020, Guy was the lone bright spot in the Patriots 26th ranked run defense, leading the defensive front seven in run stuffs.

That same run defense seemed to be a major factor in the Patriots free agent philosophy this offseason, as Guy will become the ninth front seven player to receive a contract from the Patriots since the start of the new league year. That list includes defensive lineman Henry Anderson, Davon Godchaux, Montravius Adams, Carl Davis, and Deatrich Wise Jr. as well as linebackers Kyle Van Noy, Matthew Judon, and Raekwon McMillan.

Guy, Anderson, Godchaux, Davis, Adams, Wise, Byron Cowart, Akeem Spence, Nick Thurman, Bill Murray, and Michael Barnett are all well equipped to play interior roles, and with the Patriots expected to implement more three down fronts in 2021, it is to be expected that that list of names will be competing for a few number of spots.

This move brings the Patriots’ roster to 79 players, meaning they only have 11 available for remaining free agents, draft picks, and undrafted rookies.