New England Patriots Free Agent Grades: 2 veterans brought on board

The New England Patriots have started to pick things up as the initial glamour of NFL Free Agency has begun to wear off. With other teams spending big, the Pats have mainly sat in the shadows, bringing back their own free agents while making some cheaper additions from outside the organization as well.

It’s been fairly boring for the most part, but hey, boring isn’t always bad. The Patriots have done a good job at bringing back most of their important free agents, which wasn’t always a guarantee heading into the offseason. Losing guys like J.C. Jackson and Ted Karras hurts, but finding ways to re-sign guys like Ja’Whaun Bentley and Devin McCourty has helped soften the blow.

After a spending spree in 2021 unlike one we had ever seen (until the Jacksonville Jaguars proceeded to one-up it this offseason), New England has gone back to their normal free agent strategy. Bill Belichick has refused to overspend on players, regardless of the situation, and while it can be frustrating to watch other teams make blockbuster after blockbuster, patience is key for the Pats moving forward.

Besides, New England has brought in some pretty solid players without blowing the bank on them. This past week, the Pats brought in a pair of key veterans, re-signing offensive lineman Trent Brown and luring old friend Malcolm Butler out of retirement. With the contract details now out, let’s take a look at both of these deals and assign them both a grade.