Although the Patriots have had a relatively unexciting start to free agency thus far, they have managed to re-sign more than a handful of their most valuable players who were set to hit the market this offseason.
The expectation was that they would recreate the spending spree that Bill Belichick enjoyed in 2021, especially since they had far more cash to spend this year. But they have taken a much different approach so far, and fans aren't thrilled.
Because the new league year just began on Wednesday afternoon, there's still plenty of time for things to pick up and for New England to turn things around. Some quality players are still looking for new teams, so not all hope should be lost just yet.
But in the meantime, let's review the 11 re-signings they have accomplished and grade them based on the fit and value for the team.
Patriots place transition tag on Kyle Dugger: (1 year, $13.82 million)
Atop the list of most important players to re-sign this year was safety Kyle Dugger. It was the first time in his career that he would be testing the free agent market and was expected to be heavily pursued by several teams looking to improve their secondary.
Since being drafted in 2020, he's put together an impressive resume, and although last year wasn't his best, he remains one of the better players at the position in the league.
Because of that, there was hope that presumed general manager Eliot Wolf would prioritize bringing him back for the 2024 season and beyond, and that is what he did, just with a twist. Instead of offering Dugger a contract extension, the Patriots placed the not-often-used transition tag on him instead.
That meant he would be under contract next season with a salary of $13.82 million. However, he could still speak to other teams who could match the offer and steal him from New England. Unfortunately for Dugger, safeties were being cut left and right before the official start of free agency, which devalued him and essentially made him less desirable.
However, the Patriots got him for a steal when comparing contracts to others at the position, which makes their decision to use the transition tag smarter than originally anticipated.
Hopefully, the plan is to work on a contract extension to keep him around long-term. It's great that he will be with the team for another year, especially as he has become a leader of the defense, and keeping that consistency will be beneficial. But prioritizing locking him up for more years should be a focus of Wolf's this offseason.
Our grade: B
Kendrick Bourne returns on a 3-year contract: (3-years, $33 million)
In recent years, one of the weakest parts of the Patriots' offensive roster has been their receiving corps, and it wasn't looking any better next season. That's why it was critical they re-signed Kendrick Bourne, who was well on his way to having the best year of his career in 2023 before suffering an ACL tear to end his season.
Retaining Bourne ensures they have a viable weapon for whoever the quarterback may be, a bridge veteran or newly drafted rookie, and positive energy on and off the field. He's been a reliable player for the team, and despite a turbulent 2022 season mainly due to Matt Patricia, when he was put in a game, he was the jolt they needed to get the chains moving.
He has consistently been that for the Patriots since signing with the team three years ago, and he recorded the best statistical season of his career that year to prove he was worth every penny. He was on par to beat that year, too, and, despite recovering from a severe injury, could easily pick up where he left off last season.
Having Bourne signed through 2026 ensures the offense will have a reliable player, especially next season with just DeMario Douglas, JuJu Smith-Schuster, and Tyquan Thornton under contract.
Our grade: A
Patriots lock down Hunter Henry through 2026: (3-years, $27 million)
For some reason, not a single tight end was set to be on the roster next season, which made re-signing the best player they've had at the position since Rob Gronkowski even more essential. That's exactly what Eliot Wolf did when he brought back Hunter Henry on a 3-year, $27 million deal early in the legal tampering process.
There was a belief he would be one of the players prioritized, given his contributions to the team over the last three years and his likely desire to remain a Patriot. However, there was doubt that a good deal would be made because his contract in 2021 was pricey and not ideal for an aging player.
But Wolf worked his magic, bringing Henry back on a deal that pays him an average salary of $9 million, far better than the $17 million he earned per year on his previous contract.
Because he has become an essential part of the offense, from his blocking abilities to his red zone availability, it was an excellent move to retain him on the contract he signed. He can continue to be a great TE1 and mentor whatever rookie the Patriots are expected to draft this year, which increases his value even more.
Our grade: B+
Mike Onwenu returns for a steal on a 3-year contract: (3-years, $57 million)
For many reasons, Mike Onwenu was probably the most highly anticipated free agency re-signing this year. Beyond becoming the best offensive lineman on the team, he was set to hit free agency for the first time in his career in the same year that all signs pointed to Trent Brown not returning in 2024 as well.
The offensive line has been a problematic unit on the team, so the idea of losing two of its better-performing players was not a situation anyone wanted to become a reality.
Although it still looks like Brown will be playing on a different team in 2024, Onwenu will be in Foxboro next year and on a pretty substantial yet not too hefty contract. Several linemen were signed before he was, most of which were to outrageous salaries, which increased the concerns about the likelihood of the Patriots' willingness to pay up to keep Onwenu beyond this past season.
Fortunately, they came to an agreement on a 3-year deal, which keeps him tied to New England during the best years of his career while also allowing him to explore free agency again in the future.
Locking him up removes a significant need from the board heading into the draft, allowing them to prioritize other positions of need earlier than the unsexy pick of a tackle.
Our grade: A+
Josh Uche returns on a team-friendly/prove it contract
If Bill Belichick were still the head coach and general manager, there was a high chance that Josh Uche would not be back on the team. He was the subject of trade talks before last year's deadline and was almost shipped off to the Lions until they refused to compensate the Patriots for what they wanted for him.
Now that a new regime is in control and the new head coach worked closely with Uche during his career, it didn't seem like Uche's return was entirely off the table anymore, even if early reports indicated there may have been a lack of interest.
When it was announced they had struck a deal with the linebacker, it was good to hear it was just a one-year contract. He had an impressive 2022 season, setting record highs in multiple areas, including sacks (11.5), combined tackles (27), and tackles for a loss (14).
Uche couldn't replicate that last year despite Matthew Judon's absence, so the one-year deal feels like a prove-it deal from the higher-ups in the organization.
What made the whole situation more interesting, though, were the details of what he turned down before re-signing with the Patriots. Reports claim Uche turned down other offers, including one for two years, $15 million with $11 million guaranteed. It indicated he wanted to remain with the Patriots since the contract was only for $3 million.
Our grade: A-
Patriots reward Alex Austin for standout rookie season with 1-year contract: (1-year, $915k)
Like other re-signed players, such as Anfernee Jennings, cornerback Alex Austin flew under the radar at the start of free agency and wasn't adequately recognized for his contributions to the Patriots' 2023 season.
By the time he signed with the Patriots, he had already been released by two other teams despite being drafted earlier in the year. Fortunately, he found the right team at the right time and was given a bigger opportunity to make an impact than he likely would have otherwise.
The cornerbacks had their fair share of issues last season, resulting in Austin earning a more prominent role in the latter of the year. He played in just five games, and his stats don't jump off the page, but his production helped him become one of the better cornerbacks on the team. He also wanted to make his mark on the team before heading into free agency.
Austin showed how quickly he could learn how the Patriots do things and built upon his previous performance each week. So, the one-year deal he was given to remain with the team is fair and gives him a real chance to show he has earned a spot on the roster moving forward.
Our grade: A
Patriots bring back Jalen Reagor on a 1-year deal: (1 year, $1.292 million)
When Jalen Reagor was signed to the Patriots practice squad last season, there was a bit of a buzz in the air given the unexpected trajectory he'd had throughout the first three years of his NFL career.
He was a former first-round draft pick, selected by the Eagles in 2020, and never lived up to the expectations that players taken early are believed to.
He was essentially signed as insurance and became valuable during the year when JuJu Smith-Schuster struggled to make an impact, DeVante Parker dealt with injuries, and Kendrick Bourne's season ended prematurely.
Because of that chaos, Reagor played in 11 games, and although he wasn't a game-changer, he did have a few electrifying moments that made an impact and likely served as the basis for his re-signing.
He's a fine addition to an improving offensive roster and special teams. If given more time to work with the team, like an entire offseason he didn't have with the Patriots last year, he could become more integrated into the game plan if he impresses.
Regardless, he's back on a 1-year deal that barely hits the Patriots' pocketbook, making his re-signing a no-brainer.
Our grade: B
Anfernee Jennings returns to the Patriots on a 3-year contract
One of the more underrated players of the 2023 season was certainly Anfernee Jennings. He was a quiet yet productive part of the impressive defense and had a standout year for the first time since he was drafted in 2020.
He consistently proved to be a beneficial part of the team, especially once Matthew Judon went down with a season-ending injury in Week 4. Although he didn't necessarily step up big time in the pass-rushing game, as he only recorded 1.5 sacks, he was a big part of the notable run defense that had previously been a weaker part of the defense.
Jennings was so good in that area that he tied with one of the best defensive players in the game, Maxx Crosby, in run stops for the 2023 season with 38 and played in two fewer games while doing it.
Because of his progression over the last two years and his determination to improve and become a more significant part of the defense, it was a good move to bring him back.
Our grade: A
Nathan Rourke, Christian Elliss, and Tyrone Wheatley Jr. receive 1-year contracts
The decision to bring back three of their ERFAs (exclusive rights free agents) was made solely to provide good depth pieces and potential solid backups when needed. And because of that, they're pretty solid deals.