Which Patriots are playing for a new contract in the 2023 season?

There are a few notable Patriots on the roster that are playing for a new contract to stay with the team for 2023 and beyond.

The Patriots were active during free agency last offseason, and might have to deal with some notable free agents after the 2022 season.

Some of these players are approaching a very big season and do have a chance to breakout in 2022, which would only help their chances.

The Patriots generally have a history of not being huge free agency spenders while being able to replace some of their departed players with low-cost free agents or draft picks.

I sense that this could be different next offseason.  Seeing as how active they were last offseason, I don’t see why they wouldn’t be active in trying to re-sign a few players if they enjoy a good 2022.

So, who are some of the players that are indeed playing for a new contract in 2023?

Offensive players playing for new contracts?

Right tackle Trent Brown, Wide receiver Jakobi Meyers

Even though Trent Brown is under contract for two years, the Patriots have a very easy out if Brown does not perform well in 2022.  He only signed for $13 million over two years, and the Patriots can cut him next offseason, only incurring $1.25 million in dead cap while saving $6.5 million.

Brown has proven to be a reliable player when on the field, and seems to play rather well for New England.

Trent Brown can play both left and right tackle and is only 29 years old, which is still rather young for a lineman.  Perhaps Trent Brown and Michael Onwenu could be the bookends in New England for the foreseeable future.

Jakobi Meyers was an undrafted free agent in 2019 and has already proven to be a massive diamond in the rough for the Patriots.  He signed a second-round tender and turns 26 this season.

He broke out in 2021 to the tune of 866 receiving yards, and caught his first two touchdown passes.  Meyers appears to be a quality WR2 or even a top-end WR3.  Either way, another season like Meyers had in 2021, and he should be in line for a nice extension to keep him in New England as a quality pass catcher.

Defensive players playing for new contracts?

Defensive tackle Davon Godchaux, Inside linebacker Mack Wilson

Davon Godchaux was signed from the Miami Dolphins before the 2021 season to help the team and their run defense.  He enjoyed a rather strong 2021 campaign and appears to be settled into his spot on the Patriots’ defensive line.

Godchaux is signed for $7.5 million per year and is a free agent after this season.  The contract he signed last offseason was for two years, so the 27 year old, who will be 28 next offseason, could be in line for another contract in New England.

Being that the Patriots usually have strong defenses, it would make sense for the club to prioritize re-signing him, given he has a solid 2022 season.

The next player is a new face to the Patriots in Mack Wilson, who the team traded for this offseason for OLB Chase Winovich.

Wilson was a former fifth round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft and started 28 games for the Cleveland Browns during his three years.

He’s got one more year left on his rookie contract and fits the typical ILB that the Patriots covet.

Wilson scored a 75.3 PFF grade in 2021 in his limited starts, and has never really solidified himself as a week-to-week starting backer, but perhaps being in an old school situation like New England could help him and the team.

Final thoughts

There are obviously more players playing for a new contract on the Patriots, but these four are some of the ones that I think are perhaps under the most pressure or are the most prominent names.