The Patriots went on a spending spree in 2021, spending 159.5 million over the off-season, which at the time was a record. Hence this off-season was reasonably quiet. This article will go through the Patriots free agent signings, extensions, players released, and trades.
Patriots roster as of August 17th
| Position | Num | Players |
| Quarterbacks | 3 | M.Jones, B.Hoyer, B.Zappe |
| Running Backs | 6 | D.Harris, R.Stevenson, T.Montgromey, J.Taylor, K.Harris, P.Strong, |
| Wide Receivers | 9 | D.Parker, J.Meyers, N.Agholor, K.Bourne, T.Thornton, T.Nixon, K.Wilkerson, L.Humfrey, J.Hommond |
| Tight Ends | 5 | H.Henry, J.Smith, D.Keene, D.Asasi, M.Sokol |
| Offensive lineman | 16 | T.Brown, C.Strange, D.Andrews, M.Onwenu, I.Wynn, Y.Cajuste, J.Herron, J.Ferentz, D.Desjarlais, A.Hambright, C.Hines, B.Murray, K.Russey, A.Stueber, Y.Durrant, W.Sherman |
| Defensive Linemen | 11 | C.Barmore, D.Wise, D.Godchux, L.Guy, H.Anderson, L.Ray, J.Pharms, D.Mitchell, C.Davis, Daniel Ekuale, Sam Roberts |
| Linebackers | 11 | J.Bently, M.Judon, A.Jenngings, H.Langi, C.McGrone, R.McMillan, R.Perkins, J.Tavai, J.Uche, N.Wieland, M.Wilson |
| Defensive Backs | 15 | J.Mills, J.Jones, M.Jones, J.Jones, M.Braynt, D.McCourty, J.Peppers, A.Phillips, B.Schooler, B.Hawkins, D.Hafford, J.Elliott, C.Davis, J.Bledsoe, B.Schooler |
| Special Teams | 6 | N.Folk, J.Bailey, T.Vizcaino, M.Slater, J.Bethel, J.Cardona |
| Total | 82 | |
This roster does not account for James White, who announced his retirement but is still on the active roster, nor does it account for Malcolm Butler or Joqueien Willams, who was moved to the IR on August 16th. On Tuesday, August 25th, the Patriots have to get their roster down to 80 players, and the following Tuesday have to get their roster down to the initial 53. As a result, the NFL expanded the practice squad to 16 players. Still, in the next couple of weeks, the Patriots have a lot of decisions to make.
Free agent signings (6)
CB Malcolm Butler
Maybe the most surprising Patriots addition of the off-season, the Patriots signed 32-year-old cornerback Malcolm Butler. Butler took a year off of the NFL last season, and there was lots of drama about how his time with the Patriots ended. No one can forget the interception of Super Bowl 49, maybe the most memorable end of a Super Bowl. When J.C Jackson left for the Chargers, the Cornerback room would be slim.
CB Terrance Mitchell
Along with Malcolm Butler, the Patriots signed another veteran cornerback, Terrance Mitchell. Mitchell, who played with the Texans last year, is an 8-year veteran with five different teams. Mitchell may not be a shut-down corner, but he adds depth to the Patriots.
S Jabrill Peppers
Peppers, drafted by the Browns in the first round of the 2017 draft, is a versatile defender who can play any position on defense. Peppers and the Patriots have had a connection for a while, and a deal finally got done. He is coming off an ACL injury, so may be a candidate to start the season on the PUP.
WR Devante Parker
The Wide receiver 1, Patriots fans have been waiting for! Just kidding, though Devante Parker is no Davante Adams or Tyreek Hill, he is an excellent addition to a mediocre receiver core. Parker will take on the wide receiver role, allowing Mac Jones to elevate his game. The Patriots receiver group ranked bottom tier in most statistics last season. The only risk with Parker is his injury history. He only played an entire season once, with 72 catches for 1202 yards combined with nine touchdowns.
LB Mack Wilson
The Patriots needed to get faster at linebacker, and by acquiring MacK Wilson via trade, they did that. Wilson is a young 24-year-old player from Clevland who is a sideline-to-sideline player. With Kyle Van Noy leaving for the Chargers and Jamie Collins and Donta Hightower’s contracts ending, the Patriots are very thin at linebacker; Wilson should help to make the Patriots a “younger and faster” defense.
WR/RB Ty Montgomery
Ty Montgomery is a very versatile player that the Patriots needed. A running back that can play receiver and has great value on special teams. He will likely be the replacement for returner Gunner Olszewski and carry on a James White role for New England. If Ty can be a four-down player for the Patriots, he will have no issue being active on game days.
Free Agent Re signings
LB Ja’Whaun Bentley
As the Patriots look to get faster and smaller on defense, it is an added plus to have Bentley, who is 6’2 244 pounds, at the linebacker position. In addition, his experience should help lead the Patriots to a top 5 scoring defense again this year.
OL Trent Brown
One of the most crucial signings for the Patriots this off-season was tackle Trent Brown. When the Patriots lost 2 starting offensive linemen in free agency, it was a need to retain Trent Brown. Although Brown is only 29, he has a spotty injury history, but the hope is that he will remain healthy for the 2022 season.
OL James Ferentz
Ferentz has two starts in New England and is looking to become a backup lineman for the Patriots. He spent all last season on the practice squad, getting elevated three times.
DT Carl Davis
The Patriots re-signed veteran Carl Davis, appearing in every regular season game last season. Davis provides depth to the defense. However, he may be one of the final players added to the 53-man roster.
QB Brian Hoyer
While Hoyer only attempted 11 passes in 2021, he served as a vital mentor for Mac Jones. Hoyer will come in the 2022 season as the backup to Mac Jones, but he is more valuable off the field than on the field. Many think Hoyer will become a coach after his years of playing is over, but this season, he will once again add leadership and strength to the quarterback room.
S Devin McCourty
A veteran player, McCourty looks to lead the younger Patriots defenders and provide added strength to the safety room.
ST Matthew Slater
The Ultimate Patriot. Slater has been with the Patriots since 2008, and that’s impressive, being he only works on special teams. Slater is a leader off the field and provides leadership to every member of the Patriots organization.
K Nick Folk
Nick Folk has been one of the surprises for the Patriots. Maybe the most consistent kicker in the league last year outside Justin Tucker, Folk shows no sign of slowing down. So when the Patriots decided to release kicker Quinn Nordin, it showed they have complete trust in Nick folk for the 2022 season.
RB James White
James White has been one of the most reliable backs in Patriots history. Unfortunately, last season White only played the first few games because he got injured. Although he is a candidate to open the season on the PUP list, he should add value to the Patriots offense and continue consistently in pressure moments.
Leaving
CB J.C Jackson
The Biggest loss for the Patriots this off-season was star shut-down cornerback J.C Jackson. Jackson has led the NFL in interceptions since he entered the league in 2018 and was a vital piece to the Patriots last season. Jackson had nine interceptions for the Patriots last season, playing in every game. The Patriots will have a tough job on their hands to replace Jackson.
OL Ted Karras
A very underrated player for the Patriots last season was guard Ted Karras. Karras was very versatile and could play any spot on the line. Micheal Owenenu should take on his role in 2022.
FB Jakob Johnson
One reason the Patriots ran the ball so well last season was the blocking done by fullback Jakob Johnson. Johnson played in every single game in 2020 and 2021. The Patriots do not currently have a fullback on their roster but may use a tight end like Dalton Keene or Devin Asasi.
LB Brandon King
Brandon King played 322 of a possible 464 special teams snaps last season for the Patriots and played on the kicking and punting units. King was a significant influence on special teams. Some would say Brandon King was pretty successful in New England, from going undrafted to winning a Super Bowl.
RB Brandon Boldon
When the Patriots lost James White early in the season last year, Boldon took over the role of the third down back. Although he started slowly with the Patriots, he improved tremendously during the season. Another player who positively impacts special teams, Bolden, played 63 percent of the special team’s snaps. Rhamondre Stevenson and Ty Montgomery will likely replace Bolden.
Gunner Olszewski
The Patriots chose not to tender Gunner Olszeviski, allowing him to test the open market. The Steelers offered him a higher contract than the Patriots; thus, his time in New England ended. The Patriots need a new return man, and Ty Montgomery may be the answer.
Traded
LB Chase Winovich
Winovich was drafted by the Patriots in 2019 and has been disappointing for New England thus far. Winovich played in 45 games and tallied up 86 total tackles, 56 solo tackles, and 11 sacks. In addition, the Patriots got Mack Wilson in return, which should add speed to the defense.
Shaq Mason
One of the most surprising moves of the off-season was the Patriots traded away guard Shaq Mason to Tampa Bay. PFF had Mason as the highest-rated lineman for the Patriots last season. Shaq has been with the Patriots for eight seasons. It will be tough to fill the position of the veteran.
Cap Space
The Patriots have just over five million in cap space right now. Next off-season, they are predicted to have the third most cap space in the league. In 2021 the Patriots spent 158.8 million on free agency, a record.
My name is Ben Belford-Peltzman and I am the creator and writer of The Patriots Beat. I am a 17-year kid who is an optimistic pessimist about the City of Champions. I started The Patriots Beat in August of 2022 and never expected to grow so much but here we are. Feel free to email Thepatriotsbeat@gmail.com with any inquires.
