FOXBOROUGH, Mass - Jalen Mills abilities know no bounds.
The New England Patriots knows that can "can do it all," so as he is set to venture into free agency after the 2023 season, Mills will make sure he picks the perfect place for him.
And with that, he has one main thing he is looking for.
"I think I was able to put it on tape to show people that I'm a starting safety in this league," Mills told A to Z Sports exclusively. "I feel like there is a lot of opportunities out there with the teams that need safeties."
Based on the way he was talking, it appeared that Mills' mindset was set on looking elsewhere, so when asked if that is exactly how he is feeling, the Patriots safety gave a very honest answer.
“I think so. I feel like I’m a starting safety in this league,” Mills said. "We’ve got two good safeties on the depth chart right now between (Kyle Dugger) and (Jabrill Peppers), so I think, like I said, there are definitely other teams that need starting safeties.”
And as expected based on his answer, Mills confirmed that no talks have been going on at the moment between the Patriots and his camp. His opinion on the matter: "That’s just kind of where it’s at.”
Dugger is also expected to be a free agent at the end of the season and told A to Z Sports earlier this week that he would "definitely" consider returning. And with that, Peppers is under contract through the 2024 season.
So it's possible that Dugger and Peppers could be the Patriots key safeties next season, while Mills joins another team.
But despite everything, Mills isn't completely ruling anything out at the moment.
“I think it’s just about the opportunity. There’s 32 teams in this league, the Patriots are included," he said. "If that does present itself to me being a starter, then that’s a look. All it takes is one team to fall in love with you. No matter what team it is.”
Mills began his career with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2016, spending five seasons there before signing a deal with the Patriots.
So far this season, Mills has 45 total tackles, including one forced fumble and one pass defended across 16 games this season. But it's his versatility that truly allows him to be at the top of many teams' lists.
“I think it really, honestly, is not one specific thing. I think me being able to do everything throughout this year — I played linebacker, I played strong safety, free safety, I played D-lineman, I’ve been put out at cornerback," Mills said. "So I think just my ability to play everything, blitz, I think I do that very well. So I think just me being able to do everything.”
“Honestly, you can line me up anywhere in the backend. Line me up anywhere. I can do anything. I can play man, I can play zone, I can blitz, I can tackle," he added. "A lot of guys can’t do that. A lot of guys are simply a strong safety or free safety and that’s it. I can play both and play in the slot. I can do it all.”
More must-reads: