NFL Free Agency: Patriots rope in 7 new contracts, Corey Davis joins Jets

A Tom Brady-less New England Patriots didn’t have a good time in the 2020 NFL season, and Bill Belichick wants the six-time champions to come back to winning ways.

The first step to return to the Super Bowl journey? Patriots rope in seven new players on just day one of the NFL Free Agency on Monday.

Patriots spend almost $200m on day one, their highest offseason spending to date

On just the first day of the Free Agency and entering with around $69 million in cap space (fourth-most salary cap space, as per NFLPA records), Belichick has nodded to seven contracts, which add up to an estimated $194.5 million with $81.25 million guaranteed.

The seven players are-

Baltimore Ravens linebacker Matt Judon (four year contract worth up to $56 million with $32 million guaranteed)

Tennessee Titans tight end Jonnu Smith (four year contract worth up to $50 million with $31.25 million guaranteed)

Philadelphia Eagles defensive back Jalen Mills (four year contract worth up to $24 million with $9 million guaranteed)

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Nelson Agholor (two year contract worth up to $26 million)

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Kendrick Bourne (three year contract worth up to $22.5 million)

Miami Dolphins nose tackle Davon Godchaux (two year contract worth up to $16 million with $9 million guaranteed)

Former New York Jets defensive end Henry Anderson (two year contract worth $7 million, as per the report from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the maximum value can be increased to $11 million on achieving playtime incentives.)

Summit it all up and the Pats have churned out more in one day of the free agency than they have spent in any other offseason.

On top of the seven new deals, Patriots have also retained their quarterback Cam Newton and it is pretty evident that after a lackluster 7-9 record last year, while losing their stalwart Tom Brady, who went to lift his seventh Vince Lombardi Trophy with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Belichick wants to leave no stone unturned to restore the franchise’s glory.

“That says mediocrity is unacceptable for them,” said NFL agent Leigh Steinberg.

“They had a large number of players who opted out [because of COVID-19] last year, they didn’t play as well, they saved money, and it’s a strong statement that they intend to be the New England Patriots of yore,” Steinberg, who has secured more than $4 billion for 300-plus clients, told The Post.

Corey Davis, Jarrad Davis join the Jets

Meanwhile, the Jets, who were the bottom feeders of the last season with a horrendous 2-14 record, have taken the first step in rebuilding their squad, by roping in Corey Davis from the Titans.

Davis joins Jets on a deal reported to be three year, worth up to $37.5 million with $27 million guaranteed. Moreover, they have also picked up Detroit Lions linebacker Jarrad Davis on a one year contract worth up to $7 million.