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Potential Patriots free-agent targets with connections to Bill Belichick

By Thomas Carannante

GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 03: Outside linebacker Chandler Jones #55 of the Arizona Cardinals during the NFL game against the Los Angeles Rams at the University of Phoenix Stadium on December 3, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Rams defeated the Cardinals 32-16. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 03: Outside linebacker Chandler Jones #55 of the Arizona Cardinals during the NFL game against the Los Angeles Rams at the University of Phoenix Stadium on December 3, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Rams defeated the Cardinals 32-16. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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Chandler Jones #55 of the Arizona Cardinals (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
Chandler Jones #55 of the Arizona Cardinals (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /

Possible Additions on Defense: Chandler Jones, Jason McCourty and Danny Shelton

In one of the few trades that have really burned Bill Belichick, sending Chandler Jones to the Arizona Cardinals might’ve been the worst. The Patriots received failed offensive line prospect Jonathan Cooper and a second-round pick (which was used on Cyrus Jones) while Jones became a single-season sack leader, two-time All-Pro and three-time Pro Bowler.

His five-year, $82 million contract he signed with Arizona isn’t what the Patriots usually do, but this would’ve been one of the few times it’s panned out. In six years with Arizona, Jones started 84 games and recorded 262 tackles (80 for loss), 131 QB hits, 71.5 sacks, 23 forced fumbles and eight fumble recoveries. Though he’s not exactly the force he was from 2017-2019, he still racked up 10.5 sacks, 26 QB hits, 41 tackles (12 for loss) and six forced fumbles in 15 games last year.

We’re unsure what a contract would look like here, but the Patriots, in desperate need to improve their pass rush after seeing what Josh Allen and Tua Tagovailoa did to them this past season, should look into it.

Also on defense, Jason McCourty and Danny Shelton would be there for the taking. McCourty left the Pats last offseason and signed a one-year deal with the Dolphins … but maybe he and his brother Devin switch? Or maybe they’re both brought back? McCourty was limited to just seven games because of injury and will be 35 years old in 2022. Sounds like a cheap one-year contract in New England to us …

And Danny Shelton! He was a Patriots defensive lineman from 2018-2019 and left to follow Belichick disciples Matt Patricia and Joe Judge. But his 2019 campaign with the Patriots stands as his most productive, by far, and his poor season with the Giants isn’t going to have suitors lining up out the door for a 29-year-old defensive tackle whose talents were maximized in an inimitable system.

These three are the most realistic it gets for Patriots’ reunions, and buzz will be aplenty when the new league year begins.

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