Former Pats SB Champ Angling for Reunion Amid Quiet Free Agency

Former New England Patriots safety Duron Harmon is still searching for his next opportunity this offseason after spending last season with the Cleveland Browns and the Chicago Bears. 

The 33-year-old defensive back played seven games between both teams, posting 22 combined tackles, four tackles for loss, two pass deflections, a quarterback hit, and an interception. 

Harmon spent several seasons with the Patriots after being drafted by the organization in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft. The veteran safety became a fan favorite in Foxborough as he helped the Pats win three Super Bowls.

Harmon’s last season in New England was in 2019, and since then he’s played with the Detroit Lions, Atlanta Falcons, Las Vegas Raiders, Bears, and Browns. 

In an interview with Karen Guergian of MassLive.com on the “Eye on Foxborough Podcast,” the veteran defensive back said he wouldn’t turn down the opportunity to rejoin the Patriots if head coach Jerod Mayo gave him a call.

“Oh, without a doubt, that would be the perfect end to this, to this story,” Harmon said. “I would, I would love to be, you know, a part of something from the beginning … because they’re trying to build something, right. And I know they have the right people to do it.”

The Patriots don’t have a ton of veteran depth behind starters Kyle Dugger and Jabrill Peppers, which could lend a potential opportunity for Harmon. However, one has to think that the Patriots would like to see what they have in second-year player Marte Mapu, who they drafted in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

At the same time, Harmon understands his role when a team does give him a call at this stage of his career.

“I think last year just kind of let me know where, you know, what my status in the NFL is,” he said. “If somebody gets hurt we’ll give you a call or … maybe another opportunity comes up early, I’m not sure, but right now I am, you know, still training to play.”

It will be interesting to see what happens for the former Patriots safety. If Dugger or Peppers were to suffer an injury this summer or during the season, Harmon would be a solid pickup at the position. 

However, Harmon may have to find his next opportunity elsewhere as the Patriots are going with a youth movement with this new regime.

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