The New England Patriots were able to address some of their most notable needs in free agency with the signings of wideout Romeo Doubs, offensive lineman Alijah Vera-Tucker, and EDGE Dre’Mont Jones.
However, there’s still more work to be done if the Patriots hope to return to the Super Bowl.
Even with the Jones signing, the Patriots still could use some help on the edge with the departure of K’Lavon Chaisson and the release of Anfernee Jennings. While New England is poised to address the need through the draft, there’s no guarantee that it will land an immediate impact player.
Although free agency no longer offers any premier names at the position, there are still dependable depth options that they can acquire at an affordable cost, like Jennings. Even though they released the six-year veteran, he remains a legitimate candidate to return, thanks to his experience in the system and proven versatility.
Anfernee Jennings Could Return to New England
Before the start of last season, Jennings' future with New England was uncertain. His role as a run-stopping edge didn’t seem to align with the new regime’s defensive scheme, leading the Patriots to place him on the trade block.
Since they weren’t able to find a trade partner, the Patriots decided to keep the former third-round selection, and it proved to be a wise decision. Jennings had a solid season as a backup to Chaisson and Harold Landry III, logging 26 total tackles, five tackles for loss, two sacks, and eight hurries.
Even though he had a down season, Jennings still played a crucial role on the defense. One game in particular where he stood out was in Week 17 against the New York Jets, where he logged four total tackles and a hurry in a 42-10 victory.
Although Jennings didn’t have a great regular season showing, he made up for it by elevating his play in the postseason. He stepped up while Landry was sidelined, logging 16 total tackles, two sacks, and five hurries across four games.
While he regressed in terms of generating pressure, he still proved to be a reliable defender against the run, recording 12 run stops, which helped him earn a 62.8 run defense grade, per Pro Football Focus.
From a front-office perspective, it makes sense why New England decided to cut Jennings. The Patriots needed to acquire several premier players and bolster their depth on both sides. Even if they saved just a few million from moving on from Jennings, it made financial sense.
A Team-Friendly Contract Would Be Worth It
With Jennings still on the market, the opportunity to bring him back would be a welcome surprise. He has received minimal to little interest from other teams, and according to Spotrac, he’s projected to earn a one-year, $6.4 million contract.
I personally doubt Jennings can land this much, and instead believe he’ll earn a one-year, $3 million contract. If that’s what it takes to land him, why not bring him back?
While he may not be the Patriots' vision for an edge rusher, at least you know what you have with him. He’s familiar with the system, provides meaningful snaps, and is a quality backup.
With their current depth options, however, it’s unknown what they bring. Elijah Ponder had a great rookie season and showed some promise as a pass rusher, but will he be able to replicate similar success? Meanwhile, Bradyn Swinson and Jesse Luketa haven’t played a single snap, leaving their contributions up in the air.
The Patriots have plenty of cap space ($35.2 million, per OverTheCap). Why not use some of it to bring Jennings back with little guarantees? At the very least, he could come in and compete for a spot in training camp.
With more free agents coming off the board by the day, the Patriots must act quickly to add help on the edge. A reunion with Jennings would be one way to accomplish that goal.