Patriots Re-Sign Versatile Veteran DB - NFL Tracker

Harris is no stranger to sports team ownership. He currently owns the NBA's Philadelphia 76ers, as well as the NHL's New Jersey Devils. His group in the bid to acquire the Washington franchise is expected to include billionaire Mitchell Rales, as well as Basketball Hall-of-Famer Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson.

In order for the sale to become official, the transaction requires approval from three-quarters of NFL ownership. Owners, including Kraft, are expected to vote on final approval in May, during the next scheduled owner’s meetings. Harris, who also bid on the Denver Broncos last year, has already made his familiar to the League, which should help expedite the approval process.

By comparison, Kraft purchased the Patriots in 1994 for $172 million dollars, the highest price paid for an NFL franchise at that time. In 2021, the Pats franchise carried an estimated value of 6.4 billion, denoting an increase of 28 percent over the previous year.

APRIL 12 

BILL O'BRIEN'S FIRST MEDIA AVAILABILITY 

Since returning to the New England Patriots for his second stint in Foxboro as the offensive coordinator, Bill O'Brien is expected to finally be unveiled to the media. 

A report from the Boston Herald's Andrew Callahan on Tuesday revealed the Patriots director of player personnel Matt Groh will hold a pre-NFL Draft media available on April 18th. 

In addition to O'Brien and Groh, new offensive line coach Adrian Klemm is also expected to be "available" for questions from the media.

APRIL 11

NFL TICKET CHANGES

The way you watch the NFL Sunday Ticket will change this season. But not necessarily the way you pay for it.

After a long run on DirecTV, Sunday Ticket in 2023 is moving to YouTube. The streaming coming announced this week it is keeping the "all or nothing" approach to sales packages.

Meaning? YouTube TV members can add Sunday Ticket at a presale, full-season price of $249 (through June 6), a $100 savings from the retail cost. RedZone can be added for $40 for the full season, making the total price $289 for YouTube TV subscribers, or $389 for non-subscribers.

So long satellite dishes, hello WiFi.

JUJU NUMBER

JuJu Smith-Schuster brings a high level of "flash'' everywhere he goes, and now the veteran wide receiver, who signed a three-year deal via free agency to come to New England, is bringing a flashy new number with him.

JuJu shared a picture on social media captioned “coming soon.” ... and what's coming, it seems, is JuJu taking over jersey No. 7.

Smith-Schuster might've preferred No. 9 (he wore that at USC) but Matthew Judon owns that.

So Smith-Schuster might be No. 7, which weirdly around here kinda looks like a punter's number (ht Pats Pulpit) until a receiver with "flash'' pulls it over his pads.

APRIL 9

OBJ JOINS LAMAR WITH RAVENS

Patriots' one-time target free agent Odell Beckham Jr. on Sunday ended his long search for a new team, agreeing to a contract with the Ravens. In Baltimore, Beckham Jr. would join former NFL MVP Lamar Jackson, who is embroiled in a contract dispute and recently demanded a trade.

The Patriots need receiving help and were at times linked to Beckham. They've also, of course, been rumored to be shopping quarterback Mac Jones with a possibility of being interested in trading for Jackson.

APRIL 7

QUICK RETIREMENT FOR AFC EAST WEAPON?

In a rough week for good news in Foxboro - Bill Belichick shopping Mac Jones ring a bell? - there might be reason for optimism for Patriots fans. Even if it's long-distance hope. Appearing on the “Totally Offensive” podcast, Miami Dolphins' speedster Tyreek Hill said he plans to retire after his 10th NFL season.

“I’m going for 10,” Hill said. “I’m going to finish out this contract with the Dolphins and then I’m going to call it quits.”

Surprising that a 29-year-old All-Pro coming off his best season is pondering retirement, but no doubt New England will be tired of chasing him by 2025.

APRIL 6

TOP-30 VISIT

The New England Patriots are on the home stretch heading toward the NFL Draft later this month. As time winds down, they are bringing in prospects on visits, one of the latest visitors being Jammie Robinson, a safety out of Florida State, who was in Foxboro on Wednesday. 

Bringing Robinson in on a top-30 visit is a good sign for him, as it shows the Patriots are interested in potentially drafting him. Robinson played in 13 games last season for the Seminoles recording 99 tackles, five for a loss, one sack, one interception, and five passes defended. 

The Patriots have a void to fill in their secondary after losing longtime captain Devin McCourty to retirement. While they still have Kyle Duggar, Adrian Philips, and Jabrill Peppers, hoping to make up for that loss, bringing in a rookie would make sense depth-wise. 

MARCH 27

FREE-AGENT TARGET TO BILLS

Despite recently visiting the New England Patriots, free agent safety Taylor Rapp will be taking his talents to another northeast location in 2023. 

Per a Monday report from ESPN, Rapp is signing with the Buffalo Bills on a one-year deal.  

Rapp was the Los Angeles Rams’ second-round draft choice (61 overall) in 2019. Since then, the 26-year old has filled various roles within L.A.’s secondary. Despite being used primarily as a box safety in the early stages of his Rams’ tenure, Rapp has aligned as a free safety for over 1000 snaps since 2020. Rapp finished 2022 having compiled 92 total tackles, six passes-defensed, two interceptions and one fumble recovery.

His experience at free safety was of interest to the Patriots, who are in need of help at the position following the retirement of longtime team captain Devin McCourty. 

Still, Rapp’s signing with the team seemed to be a long shot, following the news of Jalen Mills’ purported move to safety in 2023. 

As a result, Rapp will now face the Pats at least twice during the season, as a member of their bitter divisional rival.

MARCH 17

PUNTER TO DIVISION RIVAL

Former Pro Bowl punter Jake Bailey is staying in the AFC East after his recent release by the Patriots.

According to an ESPN report, Bailey is signing with New England's AFC East rival Miami Dolphins after visiting the team on Friday. 

Bailey made the Pro Bowl in Foxboro in 2020 and was awarded a new, lucrative contract just seven months ago. Last season he was placed on injured reserve and got crossways with Bill Belichick on his rehab, ultimately getting suspended and eventually released.

Bailey finishes his Patriots tenure with 222 punts for 10,189 yards, yielding a 45.9 average in 58 regular season games. Bailey's longest punt was recorded at 71 yards in 2020, with 102 total landing inside the 20-yard line. 

NEW TE WEAPON

The Patriots have agreed to terms on a one-year deal with tight end Mike Gesicki, as first reported by NFL Network. 

The big-bodied and athletic Gesicki (6-6, 250) stays in the AFC East as he departs the Dolphins (via a contract reported to be worth up to $9 million) ... and hooks up again with coach Bill O'Brien, who recruited him to Penn State and is now the Pats offensive coordinator. O'Brien coached Gesicki in the Senior Bowl when he was head coach of the Houston Texans.

MARCH 14

JETS BUILDING AROUND RODGERS?

As the New York Jets await the decision of Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, they are moving quickly to fill out their roster. According to a report by Adam Schefter, the Jets are "closing in on a deal" with Allen Lazard, a Green Bay teammate of Rodgers. 

While Schefter adds that another favorite of Rodgers, Randall Cobb is on their "radar." 

FORMER PATRIOTS OL SAHQ MASON TRADED TO TEXANS

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have reportedly traded veteran guard — and former New England Patirot — Shaq Mason to the Houston Texans.

Bucs receiving a sixth-rounder and the Texans getting a seventh-rounder back along with Mason.

Mason was selected by New England in the fourth round (131 overall) in the 2015 NFL Draft. He spent seven seasons in New England, playing 103 games, starting 98 of them. During his tenure in New England, he was one of the team’s most reliable and effective linemen, earning two Super Bowl rings (LI, LIII) in the process. 

In March 2022, Mason was traded to the Buccaneers in exchange for a fifth round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. 

Trading Mason now allows the Buccaneers to free up $5.3 million in salary-cap space. They'll carry $4.3 million in dead money for 2023 because of the move.

MARCH 13

DOLPHINS SIGN VETERAN QB MIKE WHITE: While the Patriots last week cut ties with their veteran backup quarterback Brian Hoyer, an AFC East rival on Monday shored up its position with experience.

The Miami Dolphins are reportedly signing Mike White to a two-year, $16 million contract to back up starter Tua Tagovailoa.

The Patriots are set at quarterback with Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe.

PATRIOTS EX CHASE WINOVICH TO TEXANS: 

The Houston Texans are reportedly signing former Patriots defensive lineman Chase Winovich, per Fox 26 Houston. 

Winovich was New England’s third-round selection in the 2019 draft. During his three-year tenure in Foxboro, the Michigan product went on to appear in 46 combined regular season and playoff games for the team. He will finish his time with the Pats having compiled 85 total tackles (10 for loss), two passes defensed, one forced fumble and 11 sacks, including a team-high 5.5 in 2020.

Throughout his three seasons in New England, Winovich was hampered by various injuries. It eventually resulted in a parting of the ways when he was traded to the Cleveland Browns for linebacker Mack Wilson, Sr. Like Winovich, Wilson also struggled to remain on the field for the Pats in his lone season with the club. 

Injuries once again limited Winovich to only eight games in 2022, logging only 20 tackles and one sack. 

Winovich will be reunited with Texans general manager Nick Caserio, who is also the former Patriots director of player personnel.

JIMMY G HEADING TO VEGAS? 

Free agent quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is reportedly reuniting with Josh McDaniels in the Nevada desert. 

Per NFL Network, Garoppolo is reportedly receiving a three-year, $67.5 million deal from the Las Vegas Raiders, as he now looks to become McDaniels' starting quarterback. 

After spending the last six seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, Garoppolo is continuing his football journey with the silver and black. Conversely, the Niners appear ready to hand over the keys to their offense to former first-round draft pick Trey Lance. 

McDaniels was New England's offensive coordinator back in 2014, when Garoppolo was selected by the team in the second round of the NFL Draft. Under McDaniels tutelage, he developed into one of the hottest commodities on the market, Ultimately, Garoppolo was traded from New England to San Francisco in 2017, ending his tenure with the Pats. 

PATRIOTS RE-SIGN VETERAN CARL DAVIS: The Pats have agreed to a one-year-deal with veteran defensive tackle, per The Boston Herald, as the official start of free agency draws near. 

The 6-5, 320-pound Iowa product continued to prove his value within the system as a two-gapping interior defensive lineman. Besides providing size and strength up front, he also became a disruptive presence when defending the outside zone. It was hoped that his ability to hold up inside against a double team would allow the Pats’ defensive ends and edge rushers to flow freely to the ball. However, Davis’ contributions in this area were sporadic, at best. Despite some solid showings at the nose tackle position, the 30-year-old was also occasionally beaten on his assignments. Still, his rotational versatility was enough to keep him in New England on a low-risk pact for one year.

During his three years in New England, Davis has played in 36 games, making seven starts. He has earned 33 total tackles (three for loss), two sacks, two quarterback hits and a fumble recovery.

PATRIOTS RETAIN CB JONATHAN JONES: Veteran Cornerback Jonathan Jones has re-signed with the Patriots, on a two-year, $19 million deal. 

PATRIOTS TRADE JONNU SMITH: Patriots trade tight end Jonnu Smith to Atlanta Falcons for a seventh-round draft selection in 2022. The move creates approximately $3.7 million in additional cap space for 2023. 

More Patriots coverage from Sports Illustrated here.