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Patriots 2016 Free Agency Yes/No: Sealver Siliga

By Connor Fulton

Nov 8, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots defensive tackle Sealver Siliga (96) defends against the Washington Redskins in the second half at Gillette Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Redskins 27-10. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 8, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots defensive tackle Sealver Siliga (96) defends against the Washington Redskins in the second half at Gillette Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Redskins 27-10. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sealver Siliga Patriots
Nov 8, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots defensive tackle Sealver Siliga (96) defends against the Washington Redskins in the second half at Gillette Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Redskins 27-10. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /

As the next installment in our Yes/No series detailing the New England Patriots’ free agency, this morning we are deciding whether or not the Patriots should re-sign free agent defensive tackle Sealver Siliga.

The answer: YES

Well, yes—for now. You see, Siliga has logged in too many hours with the Patriots to be booted away immediately at the beginning of free agency. The third-year Patriot deserves a chance to prove himself in training camp among a crowded crop of Patriots interior lineman.

Crowded is probably an understatement. The Patriots are absolutely loaded at defensive tackle—an embarrassment of riches, really. There’s trusty veteran Alan Branch; midseason acquisition and surprise standout Akiem Hicks; 2015 first round pick Malcom Brown; 2014 first round pick Dominique Easley; 2014 plug Chris Jones.

From the Sealver Siliga vault:

Patriots kick-off in 96 days: Profiling No. 96 Sealver Siliga

For Siliga, the writing may already be on the wall in terms of his long-term future with the Patriots. While he dressed for 13 regular season games in 2015, he struggled to get on the field with much regularity whatsoever. Despite playing six more games than he did in 2014, Siliga recorded 10 fewer tackles, and no sacks at all.

Look, Siliga is a good veteran interior defensive lineman, and his track record with the Patriots makes him deserving of a chance to win a job in training camp. But even if the Patriots re-sign him in free agency, which they should for that reason, Siliga could very well get the chop this summer in training camp.

5 Under-the-radar free agents Patriots should consider

If Siliga has indeed played his last snap in New England, then we wish him the best. As evidenced by this tweet, Siliga won’t ever forget his days wearing Patriot blue:

Here are recent installments in the Yes/No free agency series in case you missed them.

Patriots 2016 Free Agency Yes/No: LB Dane Fletcher

Patriots 2016 Free Agency Yes/No: CB Justin Coleman

Patriots 2016 Free Agency Yes/No: DE/LB Rufus Johnson

Next: 5 positions Patriots must address in free agency

Be sure to check back on Musket Fire tomorrow morning as we ponder the future of restricted free agent fullback James Develin.

Home/Patriots Free Agency