Mills agreed Wednesday with the Patriots on a revised a one-year, $6.1 million contract, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.
Though Reiss reported last week that the Patriots planned to release Mills, he's now in line to remain with the team after coming to terms on a revised deal. Now presumably past the groin injury that slowed him late last season, Mills is slated to reprise his key role in New England's secondary, where the 28-year-old's ability to play either cornerback or safety is an asset. In 10 games in 2022, Mills recorded 31 tackles and two interceptions.
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Patriots' Jalen Mills: Returning to New England
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Mills and the Patriots agreed to a new contract Wednesday, Jordan Schultz of TheScore.com reports.
Reports last week suggested the Patriots planned to move on from Mills, but he'll end up sticking around in New England for at least one more season. The 28-year-old defensive back appeared in 10 games in 2022, recording a career-low 31 tackles while producing five pass deflections and two interceptions. Mills is expected to return to safety in 2023 after he operated as a cornerback the last two years, which could result in an uptick in his tackle production if he retains a near-full-time role on defense.
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Dont'a Hightower: Announces retirement
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Hightower announced Tuesday via his personal Twitter account that he has retired from professional football.
Hightower is officially retiring after nine seasons in the NFL, all of which he spent with New England. The two-time Pro Bowler earned three Super Bowl rings during his time with the Patriots, a span in which he solidified himself as one of the team's most important defensive players. He will perhaps be best remembered for his tackle of Marshawn Lynch at the one-yard line with seconds left in Super Bowl XLIX, which set up teammate Malcolm Butler's famous goal-line interception of Russell Wilson.
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Patriots' Cody Davis: Staying in New England
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The Patriots re-signed Davis (knee) on Saturday.
Davis, who is coming off of season ending knee surgery, has spent the past three seasons in New England and will now return for the 2023 campaign. A special teams star, the 33-year-old has played just 19 defensive snaps during his time with the Patriots. Though he may not see the field on defense, Davis will look to once again bring solid value to special teams for next season.
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Patriots' Daniel Ekuale: Re-signs with New England
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Ekuale and the Patriots agreed to a two-year, $6 million contract Friday, Chad Graff of The Athletic reports.
Ekuale will remain in New England after spending the last two seasons with the team. The defensive lineman appeared in 15 games with the Patriots in 2022, recording a career-high 14 tackles, including two sacks, while also deflecting a pass. Ekuale will likely continue to operate in a reserve role behind the likes of Lawrence Guy and Deatrich Wise in 2023.
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Jalen Mills: Set to be released by Pats
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Mills (groin) is in line to be released by the Patriots, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Moving on from Mills will save the Patriots around $5 million in salary cap space, allowing them to have more flexibility in free agency. The defensive back injured his groin in the team's regular-season finale, but he doesn't appear to be in danger of missing any time at camp wherever he ends up. Mills started 10 games with New England in 2022, compiling 31 tackles, two interceptions and five pass deflections. At age 28, he'll likely find another suitor in the near future.
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Patriots' Mack Wilson: Re-ups with New England
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Wilson re-signed with the Patriots on a one-year contract Thursday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
Wilson had 26 tackles, 1.5 sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery with the Patriots in 2022. In addition to contributing on special teams, the linebacker played 20.9 percent of the team's defensive snaps last year, but he didn't see the field on defense in the final five games.
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Patriots' Jabrill Peppers: Staying in New England
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Peppers (ankle) is set to re-sign with the Patriots on a two-year deal, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
After spending his first five seasons with the Browns and Giants, Peppers found a new home in New England this past year. He was a reliable member of the team as a depth safety and core special teamer. The 27-year-old suited up for all 17 games and recorded 49 tackles (26 solo). Barring any more moves in free agency and the draft, he projects to start at free safety entering the 2023 season.
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Patriots' Myles Bryant: Offered contract tender
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The Patriots have offered Bryant, a pending restricted free agent, a contract tender for the coming season, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.
Per Reiss, the defensive back's contract tender is reportedly for $2.6 million, which is at the right-of-first-refusal level. The move signifies that the Patriots hope to have Bryant reprise his role as the team's primary slot cornerback this coming season. In 17 games during the 2022 campaign, the 25-year-old recorded 70 tackles and an interception.
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Patriots' Jonathan Jones: Strikes new deal with New England
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Jones and the Patriots agreed Monday on a two-year contract, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.
After the Patriots decided not to franchise tag Jones last week, the team moved to to keep Jones in town for at least a couple more campaigns. The 29-year-old played in 16 games last season, recording a career-high four interceptions, 11 pass deflections and three forced fumbles while also recording 69 tackles. Jones has quickly blossomed into being one of the league's best at his position, prompting the Patriots to secure him moving forward.
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Patriots' Raekwon McMillan: Inks new deal with Patriots
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The Patriots re-signed McMillan to a one-year contract extension worth up to $2.2 million Monday, Mark Daniels of MassLive reports.
McMillan is now in line to remain in New England for at least one more campaign following Monday's agreement. The 27-year-old joined the Patriots in 2021 but missed the entire season due to a knee injury. He then returned in 2022 and amassed 35 tackles, one sack and one fumble recovery across 16 games.
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Devin McCourty: Ends playing career
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McCourty has announced his retirement from the NFL, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.
The 35-year-old joined the Patriots as a first-round pick in the 2010 NFL Draft and finishes up his professional playing career with a total of 971 tackles and 35 picks over the course of 205 regular-season contests. In his final campaign with the only NFL team he ever played for, the Rutgers product logged 71 tackles and four interceptions while holding down a starting safety slot for New England in 2022.
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Patriots' Jonathan Jones: Set for free agency
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New England will not apply the franchise tag to Jones ahead of Tuesday's deadline, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Jones put together a career year in 2022, as he led the Patriots in interceptions (four), pass deflections (11) and forced fumbles (three) while racking up 69 tackles (56 solo). The 29-year-old undrafted player has proven his ability to handle an every-down role at cornerback at a high level, which sets him up to earn a sizeable contract on the open market, though New England reportedly still has interest in re-signing him.
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Patriots' Devin McCourty: Rehabbing from shoulder surgery
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McCourty recently underwent shoulder surgery and is currently rehabbing, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.
McCourty appeared in all 17 regular-season games for New England and played every single defensive snap in all but four of those contests. The veteran safety is believed to have suffered the shoulder injury during a Week 14 game against the Cardinals, but he didn't miss a snap in Weeks 15-18. Per Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site, the 35-year-old hasn't made a decision on if he'll play next season.
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Patriots' Jonathan Jones: Career year in 2022
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Jones recorded 69 tackles (56 solo), four interceptions and scored a touchdown while playing in 16 games during the 2022 season.
Jones had the best season of his career, as he led the team in interceptions, pass deflections and forced fumbles, all of which were new career highs for him. An unrestricted free agent this offseason, the 2016 undrafted free agent has earned himself a pay day from either the Patriots or another team.
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Patriots' Kyle Dugger: Scores three touchdowns
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Dugger finished the 2022 season with 78 tackles (50 solo), one sack, three interceptions, and a fumble recovery while scoring three touchdowns in 15 games.
Dugger had the best season of his young career despite missing two games with an ankle injury, as he led the NFL with three defensive touchdowns. The 26-year-old also finished third on the team in interceptions. With just one more season left on his contract, the 2020 second-round pick will look to continue his production from this season in order to get a big pay day.
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Patriots' Devin McCourty: Leads team in interceptions
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McCourty registered 71 tackles (54 solo), four interceptions and a fumble recovery while playing in all 17 games during the 2022 season.
McCourty had another effective season despite his age, as he tied for the most interceptions and second most pass deflections on the team. The 2010 first-round pick is an unrestricted free agent this offseason and is also expected to consider retiring, so while it's still unknown if he'll play next year the veteran safety has shown he can still produce at a high level for either the Patriots or another team.
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Patriots' Matthew Judon: Leads team in sacks
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Judon finished the 2022 season with 60 tackles (36 solo), 15.5 sacks and a fumble recovery while playing in 17 games.
Judon has now registered double-digit sacks in both of his seasons with the Patriots, something he failed to do in all five of his seasons with Baltimore. The four-time Pro Bowler set a new career high in sacks, which also led the team. Over the past two seasons, Judon is third in the NFL in sacks, and with two years left on his contract, he'll look to keep up that dominance heading into next season.
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Patriots' Ja'Whaun Bentley: Leads team in tackles
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Bentley played in 17 games and compiled 125 tackles (62 solo), three sacks, an interception and a fumble recovery during the 2022 season.
Bentley had the best season of his career, setting new highs in tackles and sacks while also recording his first interception since 2018. The 26-year-old led the Patriots in both solo and total tackles while finishing fourth in sacks. With one more year remaining on his contract, the 2018 fifth-round pick should be locked in as one of New England's starting inside linebackers for next season.
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LaBryan Ray: Inks deal
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Ray (undisclosed) signed a reserve/future contract with the Patriots on Tuesday.
Ray landed on the Patriots' practice squad IR in late October due to an undisclosed injury. His new deal with the team indicates his health is back up to par, and he will look to make an impression with the club during the offseason.
