Top 10: Patriots best free agent signings of last 10 years

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Feb 1, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Darrelle Revis (24) during Super Bowl XLIX against the Seattle Seahawks at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Seahawks 28-24. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Darrelle Revis – 2014

stats while on the Patriots

Super Bowl Champion (XLIX)
First Team All-Pro, Pro Bowl selection
16 regular season games – 47 combined tackles, 2 TFL, 2 INT, 14 PD, FF, FR
3 postseason games – 3 combined tackles, TFL, QB hit, INT returned for 30 yards, 2 PD

One of the best signings probably ever, by any team in the league, has to be Bill Belichick swindling New York Jets’ great Darrelle Revis for the 2014 season.

After spending the first six years of his career with the AFC East rival, Revis was traded to the Buccaneers in 2013. Although it wasn’t necessarily his preferred destination, he still had an impressive year, but it apparently wasn’t enough for either Tampa or Revis himself.

The Bucs tried and failed to trade the cornerback, resulting in his release in March 2014. The Patriots swooped in and signed Revis the same day to a one-year contract, instantly making it one of the best decisions of the Belichick era.

He went on to be an integral part of the defense for the season, shutting down receivers every single week through his consistent lights-out style of play. And the sweetest part of it all? Revis finally got his Super Bowl ring.

Patrick Chung (re-signing) – 2014

stats while on the Patriots

Three-time Super Bowl Champion (XLIX, LI, LIII)
141 regular season games – 719 combined tackles, 20 TFL, 12 QB hits, 11 INT returned for 171 yards, TD, 2 FF, 4 FR, 4.5 sacks
22 postseason games – 100 combined tackles, 3 TFL, 2 QB hits, 4 PD, FMB, FR

Maybe it’s cheating a little bit to include Patrick Chung on this list since the Patriots originally drafted him in 2009. But he did leave New England after the 2012 season, appearing like he didn’t fit within the defense anymore after Devin McCourty took over the starting safety position, and went on to sign a three-year deal with the Eagles during free agency.

His time in Philadelphia didn’t last long, though, having had a down year in performance and was later released in March of the following year.

Chung returned to the Patriots on a one-year deal and remained with the team until his retirement in 2021. Upon returning to Foxboro, he played better than he ever had. He carved out a role within the defense, showing off his versatility to be used anywhere on the field, and became a pillar in the secondary with McCourty and Duron Harmon.

His passion and leadership always shined through and were a staple within the Patriots’ locker room, and his intensity was a vital contributor to the three championships won during his tenure with the team.

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