Patriots’ Rivals Were Ready to Poach Player They Just Re-Signed

The New England Patriots season isn't going according to the plan so far. Sitting at 1-5 with one of the worst offenses in the league, silver linings are hard to find. But Patriots fans should celebrate them wherever they find them.

The team signing Brenden Schooler to a three-year, $9 million deal last week could be seen as one of those. Well, at least that is what the coaching staff thinks.

Per Patriots insider Mark Daniels, special teams coach Jeremy Springer thinks the rest of the league is envious of New England retaining the special teams ace.

Numerous NFL Teams Jealous of Patriots’ Latest Signing

Springer said that so many coaches reached out to him after Schooler's extension, highlighting their desire to add him in free agency.

"The fact that 30 coaches texted me and telling me, ‘Hey, it’s really good you locked him up because I’ll you right now if you didn’t’ do that, he was going to go somewhere and get locked up for a pretty good amount of money'. That lets you know how many coaches respect him around the league and what he means to the team that they would actually do that right now in the season."

- Patriots ST coach Jeremy Springer

Schooler is currently second in the league in special teams tackles. He blocked a punt against the Miami Dolphins in Week 5. In his rookie season in 2022, he was selected to the NFL All-Rookie team and last season, he was one of two special teamers selected for the NFLPA All-Pro team.

The former undrafted free agent out of Texas, Schooler is demonstrating how far you can go as an exclusively special teams player. In three seasons, he has appeared in only two defensive snaps while playing in 876 ST snaps.

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