Welcome to NFL free agency!
NFL teams can begin contacting free agents starting Monday at noon with the league’s “legal tampering” period. The Patriots are expected to be heavily involved in the wide receiver, offensive line, defensive line and cornerback markets. Sources have also told the Herald the front office is targeting a new type of linebacker. For a complete breakdown of the team’s offseason plans, click here.
The Patriots entered the legal tampering period with $125.1 million in cap space, most in the league by a wide margin, per Over the Cap.
Find every Patriots signing, rumor and update here with the Herald’s free agency tracker:
5 a.m. The Patriots are expected to be aggressive on Day 1, with top-of-the-market players like Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin and Eagles defensive tackle Milton Williams among their top targets. Look for the Patriots to also target mid-level veterans on defense who fit the new vision for Mike Vrabel’s defense. Under Vrabel, the Patriots are aiming to get smaller and faster in their front seven, and add new cornerbacks around No. 1 corner Christian Gonzalez.
7:30 p.m. Hours out from the start of NFL free agency, the Patriots have re-signed veteran tight end Austin Hooper, a source confirmed to the Herald.
Hooper was scheduled to hit the open market before he agreed to return on a reported 1-year, $5 million deal with a maximum value of $7 million. ESPN first reported the terms.
Hooper had 45 catches for 476 yards and three touchdowns last season, his first in New England. He played more than half of the team’s offensive snaps as the No. 2 tight end behind longtime starter Hunter Henry. The 30-year-old signed with the Patriots last year as a free agent and produced as a solid pass-catcher and run-blocker.
Hooper’s return solidifies the tight end position, which the team could continue to target in the draft. Henry is entering the second season of a three-year deal he signed last offseason.
The Patriots’ top remaining internal free agents include defensive back Jonathan Jones, defensive linemen Deatrich Wise and quarterback Jacoby Brissett.
7:05 p.m. The Patriots got a head start on free agency.
The Patriots agreed to terms with edge defender Harold Landry on a three-year contract worth $43.5 million with $26 million fully guaranteed, a source confirmed. The max value of the contract is $48 million.
Head coach Mike Vrabel is very familiar with the Patriots’ newest pass-rusher. Landry was one of the Titans’ first draft picks under Vrabel in 2018. He was released by the Titans on Friday when they couldn’t find a trade partner to take on the 28-year-old defender.
Getting Landry to come to New England was no issue. The 6-foot-2, 252-pounder entered the NFL out of Boston College. His best college campaign came in 2016 when he had 16.5 sacks.
Landry has 50.5 career sacks in six seasons. He missed the entire 2022 season with a torn ACL and has 19.5 sacks in two seasons since his recovery. He’s a one-time Pro Bowl selection for his play in 2021, when he had 12 sacks, 75 tackles, 14 tackles for loss and 22 QB hits.
In his career, Landry has 397 tackles, 70 tackles for loss, 102 QB hits, one safety and 12 pass breakups. He had nine sacks, 71 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 15 QB hits, one safety and four pass breakups last season.
He fits the new Patriots’ defense in their weak-side defensive end role. They also have Keion White, Anfernee Jennings, Titus Leo and Truman Jones at defensive end and outside linebacker.
The Patriots had major issues rushing the passer last season, registering just 28 sacks. Nine of those came in one game against the Bears.
Landry can be slotted in as a starter across from White. The Patriots still need help at wide receiver, offensive tackle, defensive tackle, linebacker and cornerback.