New England Patriots sign wide receiver Kawaan Baker to a futures contract

The New England Patriots wanted to make sure they locked down wide receiver Kawaan Baker, signing him to a future contract, the team announced on Tuesday. 

Baker was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the seventh round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He was selected with the 255 pick, only four above the final pick in the draft. 

He spent his entire rookie season on the practice squad, signing a future contract with the team before the 2022 season. However, before it began, he was suspended for the first six games of the season after testing positive for performance enhancing drugs and was eventually waived by the Saints. 

The Green Bay Packers picked him up two days later, signing him to the practice squad. Yet, his stint there didn't even last a full month. A few weeks later, he was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles, but was released six days later. 

His second stint in New Orleans began towards the end of the 2022 season and he once again signed a future contract with the team. Baker spent all of training camp with the team, but was released as part of final roster cuts and wasn't signed by another team for the 2023 season. 

Everyone knew the Patriots were going to bring in some additional receivers during the offseason, and hopefully this is just the first of many. And I know fans are waiting for one or two big name signings as well. 

Let's see what comes next.