In need of depth along the defensive interior following Christian Barmore‘s blood clots diagnosis, the Patriots have brought in Mike Purcell. The veteran agreed to a deal on Thursday, per a team announcement.
Purcell is a veteran of eight seasons, with his past five campaigns coming in Denver. The 33-year-old did not survive roster cuts last year, but he was immediately retained and wound up remaining a key member of the Broncos D-line. Purcell started 10 of his 16 appearances in 2023, logging a defensive snap share of 44% and recording 25 tackles.
The Broncos, who are now down to just five John Elway-era cogs remaining, took a flier on a player who had bounced out of the league — and into the short-lived Alliance of American Football — back in 2019. The veteran nose tackle provided a steady presence in Denver and started for the team’s three coaching staffs in that span.
Overall, Purcell started 37 games with the Broncos, a period that saw the team authorize a three-year, $14.8M extension, and made an impact as a run defender. Pro Football Focus viewed Purcell’s 2021 and ’22 seasons favorably, respectively slotting him 39th and 42nd among interior D-linemen, but ranked him 106th at the position last season. While rumors about another Broncos-Purcell pact emerged earlier this offseason, he will relocate to New England after the concerning Barmore development.
Originally a 2013 49ers UDFA, Purcell stopped through six NFL cities before sticking around in Denver. This is actually a reunion for Purcell, who was with the Patriots in October and November 2017. The 328-pound defender did not see any game action with that season’s AFC champion and finished the season with the Chiefs. The former Wyoming standout has also enjoyed short stints with the Bears, Rams and Panthers (and the AAF’s Salt Lake Stallions).
Adam La Rose contributed to this post.
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