Onwenu, Brissett top Patriots’ first-day haul
The Patriots stayed busy on the opening day of the NFL negotiating period, as the roster has started to take shape under de facto general manager Eliot Wolf and coach Jerod Mayo.
New England’s two biggest moves involved familiar faces, agreeing to terms with quarterback Jacoby Brissett on a one-year, $8 million contract and offensive lineman Michael Onwenu on a three-year deal worth up to $57 million.
Onwenu is the fourth player to return to New England under the new regime, joining tight end Hunter Henry, wide receiver Kendrick Bourne, and safety Kyle Dugger. At the NFL Scouting Combine two weeks ago, Wolf and Mayo made their intentions to keep Onwenu abundantly clear when they referred to him as a “cornerstone” player.
Retaining Onwenu was a high priority for the Patriots because of his versatility and high-level performance amid inconsistencies across the offensive line last season. Onwenu has started games at right guard, left guard, and right tackle in his four seasons as a Patriot, though it seems likely they will keep him at right tackle moving forward.
The team also signed tackle Chukwuma Okorafor to compete for a starting tackle job. A competent offensive line will be critical in New England’s efforts to remedy the offense.
Even though the team’s Week 1 starter is far from being determined, Brissett factors into the plan as well. The 31-year-old will serve as a veteran presence in New England’s revamped quarterback room. He is already familiar with new offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt, having started 11 games
(4-7) for him in Cleveland in 2022.
If the Patriots draft a quarterback and elect to have him sit, Brissett will be in position to start as a bridge option. If the Patriots draft a quarterback and play him immediately, Brissett is experienced with the backup role.
Also under contract at quarterback for the Patriots are 2022 fourth-round pick Bailey Zappe and Nathan Rourke. The team has finalized a trade to send 2021 first-round pick Mac Jones to Jacksonville in exchange for a sixth-round pick.
Elsewhere on offense, the Patriots signed running back Antonio Gibson to a three-year deal, re-signed wide receiver Jalen Reagor, and released wide receiver DeVante Parker.
The Gibson addition is not a particularly splashy move, but a necessary one. He can serve as a more traditional third-down back, a role the Patriots haven’t filled well since James White retired, while also spelling lead back Rhamondre Stevenson. Last season in Washington, Gibson caught 48 passes for 389 yards and two touchdowns.
The decision to keep Reagor doesn’t move the needle, as the Patriots have plenty of bodies at wide receiver — Bourne, JuJu Smith-Schuster, DeMario Douglas, Tyquan Thornton, and Kayshon Boutte — but are still in need of a No. 1 option. Reagor could carve out a role as a return specialist, though the number of roster spots dedicated to special teams-only players should be re-evaluated. Cornerback Marcus Jones will likely be the team’s primary returner.
Cutting Parker helps ease the logjam of mediocre players the Patriots have at receiver, even though the move will create $6.32 million in dead money and free up just $143,332 in salary-cap space. Those numbers are not favorable, but the Patriots couldn’t find any willing trade partners and decided to cut bait.
That the Patriots were willing to part ways with Parker, despite the financial consequences, shows that Wolf and Mayo are aware the position is in need of a lift. But they’ll still need to make another move to upgrade the group. This year’s draft class is rife with wide receiver talent, while Calvin Ridley is also available as a free agent.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Patriots signed linebacker Sione Takitaki to a two-year deal. They lost out on linebacker Mack Wilson, who opted to sign a threeyear contract with Arizona. It’s unsurprising that the majority of New England’s initial moves involved the offense, as that side of the ball features more significant holes.
Patriots that are pending free agents and have yet to agree to terms with any team include linebacker Anfernee Jennings, defensive back Myles Bryant, tight ends Mike Gesicki and Pharaoh Brown, and running back Ezekiel Elliott.