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Patriots Can Already Poach Player Bills Let Go This Month

By Cem Yolbulan

Dec 31, 2023; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills defensive end Kingsley Jonathan (59) in the fourth quarter against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images
Dec 31, 2023; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills defensive end Kingsley Jonathan (59) in the fourth quarter against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images / Mark Konezny-Imagn Images
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After a disappointing season under Jerod Mayo, the New England Patriots made sweeping changes to the coaching staff. Mike Vrabel will lead the Patriots into the new era as the team is looking to take a significant step forward next season. While two teams are still trying to take home the Lombardi Trophy, the Patriots have already kickstarted their offseason.

This means they are allowed to sign players who aren't under contract or are on other teams' practice squads. After their season's conclusion, teams around the league signed their practice squad players they wanted to retain to reserve/futures contracts. The rest of them became free agents.

One player the Buffalo Bills didn't retain would be an intriguing fit for the Patriots. Defensive end Kingsley Jonathan, who has been with the Bills since 2022, was not signed to a contract after the season and is now available on the free-agent market.

Jonathan has gone back and forth between the Bills practice squad and the active roster over the last three seasons. He has played in 15 games for the AFC East rivals in that span, recording three QB hits and one tackle for loss.

The 26-year-old defender would be a decent addition to the Patriots team that struggled to make plays last season. The Patriots had the fewest sacks in the league with 28 and ranked the fourth-worst pass-rushing team in the NFL by Pro Football Focus. They also ranked near the bottom of the league in total takeaways defensively.

Keion White and Anfernee Jennings were solid in their roles on the edge, but you can never have too many pass rushers on the roster. It would behoove the Patriots to bring in as many talented defensive ends like Jonathan to training camp as possible to bolster their rotation.

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