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NFL free agency tracker 2023: Patriots news, rumors, signings, instant analysis

Make sure to stay up-to-date with all of New England’s transactions and rumors.

Carolina Panthers v New England Patriots Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

Welcome to NFL free agency 2023. The league officially open the market on Wednesday, March 15 at 4 p.m. ET — starting the new league year and kicking off free agency frenzy.

Of course, the New England Patriots and the other 31 franchises will all be quite busy in the days leading up to that pivotal day on the calendar as well: the so-called legal tampering window will open on Monday, March 13, at noon and already see the first moves made.

As for the Patriots, they are expected to be aggressive. Not only are they coming off a disappointing 8-9 season that saw them miss the playoffs, they also are among the NFL leaders in available resources this offseason. Bill Belichick and company seem committed to attacking free agency with a purpose, and with the goal to rebuild the team around third-year quarterback Mac Jones.

In order to not get lost amidst all the chaos, our traditional Patriots Free Agency Tracker is here to help. It will keep you up-to-date on all the latest developments, rumors and news, so please make sure to bookmark and regularly visit.

Patriots unrestricted free agents

WR Nelson Agholor: Profile | Status: Signed by Ravens (1 year, $3.25 million) | Analysis

OT Marcus Cannon: Profile | Status: TBD

LS Joe Cardona: Profile | Status: Re-signed (4 years, $6.3 million) | Analysis

DT Carl Davis Jr.: Profile | Status: Re-signed (1 year, $1.32 million) | Analysis

S Cody Davis: Profile | Status: Re-signed (1 year, $2.2 million) | Analysis

DT Daniel Ekuale: Profile | Status: Re-signed (2 years) | Analysis

OL James Ferentz: Profile | Status: Re-signed (1 year, $1.2 million) | Analysis

RB Damien Harris: Profile | Status: Signed by Bills (1 year, $1.77 million) | Analysis

CB Jonathan Jones: Profile | Status: Re-signed (2 years, $19 million) | Analysis

S Devin McCourty: Profile | Status: Retired | Analysis

OT Conor McDermott: N/A | Status: Re-signed (2 years, $3.6 million) | Analysis

LB Raekwon McMillan: Profile | Status: Re-signed (1 year, $2.2 million) | Analysis

WR Jakobi Meyers: Profile | Status: Signed by Raiders (3 years, $33 million) | Analysis

P Michael Palardy: Profile | Status: TBD

S Jabrill Peppers: Profile | Status: Re-signed (2 years, $11 million) | Analysis

WR Matthew Slater: N/A | Status: Re-signed (1 year, $2.7 million) | Analysis

CB Joejuan Williams: Profile | Status: Signed by Vikings | Analysis

LB Mack Wilson Sr.: Profile | Status: Re-signed (1 year, $1.6 million) | Analysis

OT Isaiah Wynn: Profile | Status: TBD


Patriots restricted free agents

CB Myles Bryant: Profile | Status: Tendered (Right of first refusal)

OT Yodny Cajuste: Profile | Status: Tendered (Original round)


Patriots acquisitions

OT Calvin Anderson: Signed (2 years, $7 million) | Analysis | Profile

OT Riley Reiff: Signed (1 year, $5 million) | Analysis | Profile

WR JuJu Smith-Schuster: Signed (3 years, $25.5 million) | Analysis | Profile

RB James Robinson: Signed (2 years, $4.5 million) | Analysis | Profile

TE Mike Gesicki: Signed (1 year, $4.5 million) | Analysis | Profile

LB Chris Board: Signed (2 years, $5 million) | Analysis | Profile

P Corliss Waitman: Signed (1 year, $990,000) | Analysis

QB Trace McSorley: Signed (1 year, $1.08 million) | Analysis


Patriots departures

QB Brian Hoyer: Released | Analysis

S Devin McCourty: Retired | Analysis

P Jake Bailey: Released | Analysis

TE Jonnu Smith: Traded to Atlanta | Analysis

WR Jakobi Meyers: Signed by Raiders | Analysis

CB Jalen Mills: Released | Analysis

RB Damien Harris: Signed by Bills | Analysis

WR Nelson Agholor: Signed by Ravens | Analysis

CB Joejuan Williams: Signed by Vikings | Analysis


News and rumors tracker

Post-March

April 17: Cornerback Joejuan Williams is leaving New England to join the Minnesota Vikings. | Report

April 13: New England has signed Trace McSorley as its third quarterback. He will join a depth chart led by starter Mac Jones and backup Bailey Zappe. | Report

April 5: Offensive tackle Yodny Cajuste has officially signed the original-round restricted free agency tender placed upon him by the Patriots. | Report

April 4: Brian Hoyer, who was released by the Patriots in mid-March, has signed a two-year deal with the Las Vegas Raiders — uniting with former New England offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. | Report

March 27

NEWS: Free agent safety Taylor Rapp, who had a visit with the Patriots earlier this month, is signing a one-year deal with the Buffalo Bills. | Report

March 24

PATRIOTS MOVE: Nelson Agholor is joining the Ravens on a one-year deal. | Report

March 23

PATRIOTS MOVE: New England has signed punter Corliss Waitman. | Report

RUMOR: The DeAndre Hopkins trade market is being “headlined” by the Buffalo Bills. | Report

March 22

PATRIOTS MOVE: Cornerback Jalen Mills is returning to the Patriots. | Report

March 21

NEWS: Linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel, who visited New England last week, intends to re-sign with the Dolphins. | Report

March 20

PATRIOTS MOVE: Damien Harris is joining the Bills on a one-year deal. | Report

NEWS: Patriots free agent Nelson Agholor took a visit with the Baltimore Ravens on Monday. | Report

March 18

PATRIOTS MOVE: New England has re-signed special teams ace Cody Davis, as announced by none other than his former teammate Devin McCourty. | Report

NEWS: Defensive back and special teamer C.J. Moore, who had visited with the Patriots on Friday, signed a two-year deal in Detroit. | Report

March 17

NEWS: The Patriots had defensive back and special teamer C.J. Moore in town for a visit. | Report

PATRIOTS MOVE: New England is signing linebacker/special teamer Chris Board to a two-year contract. | Report

NEWS: Patriots punter Jake Bailey indeed ended up signing with the Dolphins. | Report

NEWS: Safety Julian Love, a potential free agency target for the Patriots, is joining the Seahawks on a reported two-year, $12 million deal. | Report

PATRIOTS MOVE: The Patriots will part ways with cornerback Jalen Mills. | Report

RUMOR: New England has shown interest in free agent safety Nick Scott, who started 16 games for the Rams last season. | Report

NEWS: Former Patriots punter Jake Bailey is visiting with the Dolphins. | Report

RUMOR: New England is still in talks with free agent safety Taylor Rapp, who visited the team on Thursday. | Report

PATRIOTS MOVE: New England is singing former Miami tight end Mike Gesicki, possibly the top player available at his position. | Report

PATRIOTS MOVE: New England is re-signing defensive tackle Daniel Ekuale. | Report

March 16

NEWS: Free-agent safety Taylor Rapp has left New England without a contract after his visit. | Report

PATRIOTS MOVE: New England is re-signing long snapper Joe Cardona. | Report

NEWS: Former Patriots linebacker Trey Flowers was back in New England today for a free agent visit, as was veteran special teamer Chris Board. | Report

NEWS: Free agent linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel has left New England without a contract after his visit. He is set to travel to Las Vegas next. | Report

NEWS: Former Patriots wide receiver Braxton Berrios will not return after his release by the Jets. He will instead join the Miami Dolphins. | Report

NEWS: New England is bringing in wide receiver Bisi Johnson for a visit. Johnson was a seventh-round draft pick in2019, who spent his entire career in Minnesota. | Report

PATRIOTS MOVE: New England is re-signing linebacker Mack Wilson to a one-year, $2.2 million contract. | Report

RUMOR: The Patriots and Houston Texans are both “of high interest” to free agent linebacker Mack Wilson. The four-year veteran spent the 2022 season in New England, serving as a rotational linebacker and special teamer. | Report

NEWS: Free agent safety Taylor Rapp will be visiting New England today. | Report

NEWS: Free agent linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel will be visiting New England today. | Report

March 15

NEWS: Orlando Brown Jr., the top remaining offensive tackle on the market, will join the Cincinnati Bengals on a four-year, $64.1 million contract. | Report

PATRIOTS MOVE: New England is signing running back James Robinson to a two-year deal at a maximum value of $8 million. | Report

RUMOR: The Patriots are joining the Cleveland Browns in talking with free-agent tight end Donald Parham. | Report

PATRIOTS MOVE: New England is expected to sign wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster. | Report

RUMOR: New England has been “engaged” with free agent wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster. | Report

NEWS: The Bills are re-signing safety Jordan Poyer. | Report

RUMOR: The Patriots have called the Arizona Cardinals and Denver Broncos about wide receivers DeAndre Hopkins and Jerry Jeudy, but “the price point remains a key component.” | Report

RUMOR: The Patriots have been “in close contact” with an as-of-yet unnamed top free agent wide receiver. | Report

RUMOR: The Broncos want at least a first-round draft pick in order to trade wide receiver Jerry Jeudy. | Report

PATRIOTS MOVE: New England is tendering restricted free agent Yodny Cajuste at the original third-round level. | Report

RUMOR: The Patriots have shown interest in linebacker Nicholas Morrow. | Report

PATRIOTS MOVE: New England is expected to sign offensive tackle Riley Reiff. | Report

NEWS: Jabrill Peppers’ new two-year contract with the Patriots carries a maximum value of $11 million, including $6 million in guarantees. | Report

PATRIOTS MOVE: While he is heading into retirement, New England modified Devin McCourty’s contract to create $5.035 million in cap space. | Report

March 14

PATRIOTS MOVE: Safety Jabrill Peppers, who first arrived in New England last offseason, is staying put. He has signed a new two-year extension. | Report

NEWS: Arguably the top cornerback on the market, James Bradberry is staying put: he has signed a three-year, $38 million contract with the Philadelphia Eagles. | Report

NEWS: The Patriots reportedly showed interest in Phillip Dorsett this week, but the 30-year-old is headed to Las Vegas instead. | Report

NEWS: Former Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore is being traded again. He is moving from the Colts to the Cowboys for a conditional 2024 fifth-round draft pick. | Report

PATRIOTS MOVE: New England is signing offensive tackle Calvin Anderson to a two-year deal. | Report

NEWS: Shortly after signing Jakobi Meyers, the Raiders have traded tight end Darren Waller to the New York Giants. Las Vegas is getting the 100th overall pick in this year’s draft as return. | Report

PATRIOTS MOVE: Restricted free agent cornerback Myles Bryant is being tendered at the right-of-first-refusal level. The one-year deal costs New England $2.6 million.

PATRIOTS MOVE: Wide receiver Jakobi Meyers is leaving the Patriots to join the Las Vegas Raiders, reuniting with head coach Josh McDaniels. | Report

RUMOR: The Patriots are among four teams expressing interest in re-signing linebacker Mack Wilson. The Houston Texans, Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns are also involved. | Report

RUMOR: The New York Jets are working on a deal to bring wide receiver Allen Lazard aboard, another sign they are hard after Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers. | Report

March 13

RUMOR: The Patriots were in on free agent tackle Andre Dillard, but he opted to sign a a three-year, $29 million deal with the Tennessee Titans instead. | Report

NEWS: Potential Patriots free agency target Jessie Bates — the top safety on the market — will not be coming to New England. He is joining the Atlanta Falcons on a reported four-year, $64.02 million contract. | Report

NEWS: Potential New England linebacker target Tremaine Edmunds is headed to the Chicago Bears. | Report

RUMOR: The Patriots are “looking to re-sign” special teams aceCody Davis. | Report

RUMOR: The Patriots have shown interest in free agent wide receiver Phillip Dorsett. The 30-year-old former first-round draft pick already played for the team for three years from 2017 to 2019. He most recently was with the Houston Texans. | Report

NEWS: Ex-Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo has found a new home, with the Las Vegas Raiders signing him to a three-year, $67.5 million contract. | Report

NEWS: Veteran right tackle Mike McGlinchey, a potential Patriots target, is signing with the Denver Broncos. | Report

PATRIOTS MOVE: The Patriots are expected to re-sign defensive tackle Carl Davis to a one-year deal. | Report

RUMOR: Former Patriots quarterback Jarrett Stidham has found a new home: he is joining the Broncos on a reported two-year, $10 million contract. | Report

RUMOR: Denver has had trade talks about multiple of its wide receivers: Jerry Jeudy, Courtland Sutton, and KJ Hamler. While it is not known whether or not Patriots are involved, they are in the market for receiver help. | Report

RUMOR: Tampa is exploring trading guard Shaq Mason. This is the second straight offseason he is on the trade block; New England already sent him to the Bucs last year. | Report

PATRIOTS MOVE: Patriots re-sign CB Jonathan Jones to a two-year contract. | Report

NEWS: Raekwon McMillan’s new deal is worth $2.2 million over one year. | Report

PATRIOTS MOVE: Patriots trade TE Jonnu Smith to the Atlanta Falcons. | Report

Pre-legal tampering

March 10: Patriots re-sign LB Raekwon McMillan. | Report

March 10: Patriots release P Jake Bailey. | Report

March 10: S Devin McCourty announces his retirement. | Report

March 9: Patriots attend WR Odell Beckham Jr. free agency workout. | Report

March 9: Patriots not expected to pursue QB Lamar Jackson. | Report

March 9: Patriots re-sign OL James Ferentz. | Report

March 7: Patriots do not use the franchise tag. | Report

March 6: Patriots, WR Jakobi Meyers have not made much progress in contract talks. | Report

March 3: Patriots will release QB Brian Hoyer. | Report

March 2: Patriots would like CB Jonathan Jones back. | Report


Patriots salary cap space

$12.2 million (per Miguel Benzan)


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