New England has decided to retain several free agents ahead of the 2023 season. The Patriots re-signed long snapper Joe Cardona, defensive tackle Daniel Ekuale, and linebacker Mack Wilson earlier in the week.
LS Joe Cardona
Former Patriots cornerback and now NFL insider Jason McCourty broke the news Thursday night that the Patriots are re-signing special teams pro Joe Cardona. ESPN’s Mike Reiss later confirmed a four-year deal with a $1M signing bonus.
The 30-year-old will return for his ninth season following a disappointing 2022 campaign where he suffered an injury that kept him on the sidelines. Cardona’s new contract makes him the second-longest tenured Patriots, second to Matthew Slater. Cardona entered the NFL as a fifth-round draft pick out of the 2015 draft. The Navy product has played in 127 games in his career. The Patriots had a disastrous year on special teams, and they still don’t have a punter for the 2023 season. The Patriots had movement on special teams as veteran punter Jake Bailey left for Miami. However, Cardona offers experience to the group. In addition, Cardona’s four-year deal also makes him the first Patriots player signed through the 2026 season.
LB Daniel Ekuale
Early Friday morning, NFL Networks’ Tom Pelissero announced the Patriots would be re-signing defensive lineman Daniel Ekuale. The 29-year-old has been with the Patriots for the last two seasons, playing 36% of the snaps in 2022 and 24% in 2021. Ekuale tallied two sacks last season with the Patriots. Before playing in New England, Ekuale spent time in Cleveland and Jacksonville. The Washington State product started on the practice squad in 2021 but was elevated eight times during the season. The edge rusher filled in for Christian Barmore last season as he dealt with several injuries.
During the 2023 offseason, the Patriots retained key defensive players, including Carl Davis, Jonathan Jones, Raekwon McMillan, Jabrill Peppers, and Mack Wilson.
LB Mack Wilson
As noted, the Patriots kept another defensive player, linebacker Mack Wilson. NFL Networks stated that the Patriots are re-signing Wilson to a one-year, $2.2M contract. The Alabama product recorded 36 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and a forced fumble in his first season with the Patriots. He played all 17 games, and his athleticism and sideline-to-sideline performance was incredibly impactful in Foxboro. Wilson was acquired via trade with the Browns. Wilson also added value on special teams and tallied ten tackles on coverage units.
Jahlani Tavai is the only linebacker signed under contract after the 2023 season for the Patriots. However, the linebacker core should remain intact, as the Patriots have done a great job of keeping their free agents thus far.
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.
