Tom E. Curran breaks down why re-signing core players to start free agency is not a failing strategy for the Patriots in this week’s “My Slant”.
Change is afoot in New England.
The new Patriots regime of head coach Jerod Mayo and de facto general manager Eliot Wolf already has made several notable moves since the team parted ways with head coach Bill Belichick in January, from re-signing core free agents Hunter Henry and Kendrick Bourne to trading quarterback Mac Jones.
Their work is just beginning, though: The Patriots enter 2024 NFL free agency with nearly $83 million in cap space -- second-most in the NFL -- and have needs at several key positions, most notably quarterback, offensive tackle and wide receiver.
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Which in-house pending free agents will New England retain, and which free agents will they bring in? Here's an updated list of the Patriots' offseason moves as the NFL's legal tampering window opens at 12 p.m. ET on Monday, with free agency officially beginning Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET:
Thursday, March 28
12:20 p.m. ET: Patriots safety/special teamer Cody Davis is retiring, he announced Thursday on social media. Davis was an unrestricted free agent.
Monday, March 25
2:31 p.m. ET: The Patriots are losing cornerback Myles Bryant, He is signing with the Texans, per Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston.
Tuesday, March 19
1:40 p.m. ET: Free agent offensive tackle Trent Brown is signing a one-year contract with the Cincinnati Bengals, NFL Media's Ian Rapoport reports.
Sunday, March 17
4 p.m. ET: The Patriots have signed wide receiver K.J. Osborn, according to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero. It's a one-year deal worth $4 million for the ex-Minnesota Vikings WR, per The MMQB's Albert BReer.
Wednesday, March 13
6:37 p.m. ET: The Patriots bolstered their offensive line with the signing of guard Nick Leverett, per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.
5:10 p.m. ET: The Patriots and Jaguars are losers in the Calvin Ridley sweepstakes as the star wideout is joining the Tennessee Titans on a four-year, $92 million deal, per NFL Media's Ian Rapoport.
4:54 p.m. ET: The Patriots have signed defensive end Armon Watts to a one-year deal worth $3 million, according to the Boston Herald's Andrew Callahan.
4:41 p.m. ET: The Patriots are still in the mix for Calvin Ridley, per The Athletic's Jeff Howe.
12:30 p.m. ET: This would be an interesting development... The Patriots and J.C. Jackson have "mutual interest" despite New England releasing the veteran cornerback earlier this offseason, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports.
11:22 a.m. ET: Kendrick Bourne's contract with the Patriots includes incentives that make it a pretty favorable deal for New England, Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer reports.
8:00 a.m. ET: We've have another re-signing: The Patriots have agreed to a three-year, $12 million contract with linebacker Anfernee Jennings that has a maximum value of $24 million, NFL Media's Ian Rapoport reports.
Tuesday, March 12
10:45 p.m. ET: Shortly after Hooper's signing with New England was reported, tight end Pharaoh Brown joined the Seattle Seahawks, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.
10:01 p.m. ET: Tight end Austin Hooper is signing a one-year, $4.25 million deal with the Patriots, according to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport.
5:29 p.m. ET: Former Patriots safety Jalen Mills has agreed to a one-year deal with the New York Giants, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.
3:50 p.m. ET: Former Patriots receiver DeVante Parker has landed with the Philadelphia Eagles on a one-year, $4.69 million contract, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports. The Eagles will only pay $1.2 million of that deal, while New England will pay the rest after releasing Parker on Monday.
3:48 p.m. ET: Josh Uche is staying put: The Patriots are re-signing the 25-year-old edge rusher on a one-year deal, per NFL Media's Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo.
Uche's deal is worth $3 million with incentives that can take it up to $8 million, Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer reports.
2:30 p.m. ET: The Patriots have shown interest in free agent defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins, MassLive's Mark Daniels reports. Rankins racked up six sacks and 10 quarterback hits for the Houston Texans last season.
12:40 p.m. ET: Here's the latest on free-agent wide receiver Calvin Ridley: The Patriots are "pushing" to sign him, but he's discussing a deal to stay in Jacksonville, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.
11:05 a.m. ET: Former Patriots tight end Mike Gesicki is heading to the Cincinnati Bengals on a one-year contract worth up to $3.25 million, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports.
9:55 a.m. ET: Jalen Reagor's deal with the Patriots is worth nearly $1.3 million with $442,500 guaranteed, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports.
Monday, March 11
9:23 p.m. ET: The Patriots are bringing wideout/returner Jalen Reagor back on a one-year contract, per Bleacher Report's Jordan Schultz.
8:50 p.m. ET: The Patriots are signing linebacker Sione Takitaki, according to NFL Media's Tom Pelissero.
8:24 p.m. ET: Veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett is signing a one-year contract worth $8 million with the Patriots, NFL Media's Ian Rapoport reports.
7:29 p.m. ET: The Patriots are re-signing another one of their top free agents, offensive lineman Mike Onwenu, to a three-year contract worth $57 million, per NFL Media's Ian Rapoport.
5:41 p.m. ET: Patriots linebacker Mack Wilson Sr. has agreed to a three-year deal with the Arizona Cardinals, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
3:40 p.m. ET: The Patriots are releasing wide receiver DeVante Parker, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. He'll cost New England $6.3 million in dead cap money as a pre-June 1 release, according to OverTheCap.
2:46 p.m. ET: The Patriots are signing veteran running back Antonio Gibson, NFL Media's Ian Rapoport reports. He'll receive a three-year deal with a base salary of $11.25 million, per ESPN's Mike Reiss.
2:40 p.m. ET: Kirk Cousins' decision to sign with the Atlanta Falcons in free agency could start the quarterback domino effect. CBS Sports' Jonathan Jones reports that free agents Jacoby Brissett and Joe Flacco both are potential options for the Patriots after Cousins' deal.
12 p.m. ET: The Patriots are expected to make a push for free-agent wide receiver Calvin Ridley, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports. The Jaguars, Titans and Panthers are other potential options for Ridley, per Fowler.
10:05 a.m. ET: Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins has requested a trade, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. Higgins would be a fascinating target for the Patriots, who need a major upgrade at the position.
9:45 a.m. ET: The new-look Patriots won't include special teams ace Chris Board, who reportedly will be released this week. Board's release is another sign of how New England's roster should look different post-Belichick, who famously placed a high emphasis on special teams.
