Patriots signing Jonnu Smith and Davon Godchaux to kick off free agency
Ah, we love the “legal tampering period,” don’t we? It kicked off on Monday at noon, and the New England Patriots have already gotten to work.
As expected, right?
According to the latest reports, the Pats are signing former Tennessee Titans tight end Jonnu Smith to a four-year, $50 million contract, which will guarantee him over $30 million.
Smith, who was long been viewed as the “perfect fit” in New England because of his blocking and pass-catching abilities, will now solve a big need after the team attempted to do so by using two third-round draft picks on tight ends in 2020.
What else does this tell us?
Bill Belichick isn’t wasting a second in his efforts to upgrade this team and return to the playoffs.
Former Titans’ TE Jonnu Smith reached agreement with the Patriots on a 4–year, $50 million deals that includes $31.25 million fully guaranteed, @DrewJRosenhaus told ESPN.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 15, 2021
The Patriots have reportedly landed Jonnu Smith in a huge free agency move.
Perhaps most importantly, this is a tremendous security blanket for Cam Newton, who has relied on a productive tight end for nearly all of his career. Greg Olsen was the Carolina Panthers’ leading receiver multiple times when the two were teammates, so the Patriots not having a capable tight end on the roster in 2020 really showed.
Additionally, Smith’s potential has hardly been unleashed. He was beneath a secondary option in Tennessee since they had the best running back in football and two star wideouts in AJ Brown and Corey Davis. Just wait to see what he can do when he’s a primary focus.
https://twitter.com/MikeReiss/status/1371507246773981184?s=20
The Patriots didn’t stop there, however. They also upgraded on the defensive side of the ball, swiping a nose tackle from a division rival.
Davon Godchaux is leaving the Miami Dolphins for the Pats and has reportedly agreed to a two-year, $16 million contract.
Former Dolphins’ NT Davon Godchaux agrees with the Patriots on a 2-year deal worth up to $16 million that includes $9 million fully guaranteed, his agent @DrewJRosenhaus tells ESPN.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 15, 2021
Though Godchaux missed most of the 2020 season due to a biceps injury, which sidelined him after just five games, he’s been a productive player for the Dolphins since his rookie year in 2017.
Across 52 career games (42 starts), he’s recorded 179 tackles (12 for loss), 16 QB hits and three sacks, all the while clogging up the middle with his 6-foot-3, 311-pound frame. The Pats will likely be losing a few guys along the defensive line, so Godchaux should see action immediately.
Still armed with plentiful cap space, expect the Patriots to continue adding free agents in the coming days to rid themselves of the stink 2020 brought.
