Patriots In 'Two-Team Fight' to Sign Top Remaining Receiver Calvin Ridley - Free Agency Tracker

The latest rumors, rumblings and signings involving the New England Patriots, AFC East and NFL.

Richie Whitt | Mar 12, 2024

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New England Patriots

The New England Patriots unofficially kick off the 2024 season under new head coach Jerod Mayo and general manager Eliot Wolf with numerous holes to fill in free agency, especially on offense.

The trading of former franchise quarterback Mac Jones and re-signing of receiver Kendrick Bourne are the likely just the first dominoes of many to fall in the coming weeks as the Pats attempt to rebuild in the wake of a 4-13 season and Bill Belichick's departure.

Patriot Country keeps you updated with up-to-the-minute transactions affecting the Pats and with the biggest moves around the league.

MARCH 13

PATS SIGN FORMER BRADY BUCCANEERS OL - The Patriots are adding depth to their offensive, signing former Tampa Bay Buccaneers guard Nick Leverett.

He started 10 games for Tampa in 2022 in Tom Brady's final NFL season. Last year he was limited to only three games, mostly by a shoulder injury.

PATRIOTS SIGN DEFENSIVE LINEMAN ARMON WATTS - The New England Patriots are adding some depth to their defensive front.

The Pats, as reported through NFL Network via GSE Football, are signing free-agent defensive lineman Armon Watts to a one-year deal. Per Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald, the contract is worth up to $3 million.

Watts entered the NFL with the Minnesota Vikings, as their sixth round (No. 190 overall) draft pick in 2019. Watts played three seasons with Minnesota before spending two one-year stints with the Chicago Bears and Pittsburgh Steelers, respectively.

Throughout his career, the 6-5, 307-pound lineman has played in 72 career games making 22 starts. Watts has compiled 140 total tackles, 8.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and one pass deflection.

JUDON JOKES(?) ABOUT TEE HIGGINGS TRADE TO PATS - The Patriots are desperate for a playmaking No. 1 receiver. The Bengals' Tee Higgins has requested a trade. New England Pro Bowl pass-rusher Matthew Judon fancies himself as a de facto general manager.

Add it all up and ... is Tee coming to Foxboro?

Judon, a notorious "recruiter" of NFL free agents via his Twitter, posted what we believe is joke on his account Wednesday morning. The post says Higgins will be coming to Foxboro.

"Yall just got off the phone @teehiggins5. He said he’s walking on to the patriots. Look at god."

With a fanbase clamoring for any positive news during free agency, it's cruel to tease with what would be a significant transaction. And bringing "god" into the equation just seems ... weird?

Then again, if the Pats do trade for Higgins then we'll come back here and praise Judon for being Nostradamus.

MARCH 12

JALEN MILLS GOES TO GIANTS - The Patriots' secondary will look different in 2024, thanks to the departure of free-agent cornerback/safety Jalen Mills to the Giants.

New York lost Xavier McKinney to the Packers on Monday. Mills, 29, signed a four-year, $24 million contract with the Pats in 2021 but steadily declined. Last season he started eight games but only recorded one pass defensed along with no interceptions or sacks.

At one time thought to be New England's No. 1 cornerback, he was shoved down the depth chart by the arrival of 2023 rookie Christian Gonzalez.

DEVANTE PARKER SIGNS WITH EAGLES - From the second-lowest scoring offense in the NFL, to one oozing with talented players such as Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley, A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. In the immortal words of George Jefferson, former Patriots' receiver DeVante Parker is "movin' on up!"

On the verge of being released and given permission to talk with other teams, Parker is signing with the Eagles where he will compete to be the third receiver on a team expected to contend for the NFC Championship and Super Bowl LIX next February.

According to ESPN, Parker's deal is for one year and $4.6 million. The Eagles will only have to pay $1.2 million of Parker's contract, with the rest falling on the Patriots.

Parker was a bust in Foxboro, catching only 33 passes for 394 yards without a touchdown last season.

PATRIOTS RE-SIGN LINEBACKER JOSH UCHE - While they wait in anticipation of making an offensive splash signing in free agency, the Patriots took a step toward keeping their Top 10 defense together Tuesday by re-signing linebacker Josh Uche.

According to NFL Network, Uche had multiple, more lucrative offers around the league but chose to return to Foxboro and new head coach Jerod Mayo on a one-year contract.

With bookend pass-rusher Matthew Judon out for most of last season, Uche's production dramatically decreased. He had 11.5 sacks in 2022, but only 3.0 in 2023 in the same amount of games played.

PATS "IN RUNNING" TO SIGN CALVIN RIDLEY - According to two Tuesday reports, the Patriots are in the running to sign who is widely regarded as the best receiver left in free agency - Calvin Ridley.

We reported earlier that the Pats were expected to "swing big" at signing Ridley, who last year in Jacksonville had 76 catches for 1,018 yards and eight touchdowns. All three of those totals would have led the Patriots' paltry offense last season.

The Athletic says "it's down to two teams" in New England and the Jaguars. ESPN reports that the Patriots are "pushing" to sign the receiver, but that Jacksonville has the inside track.

Writes The Athletic: "Both teams feel they're in it."

The Patriots and new offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt are desperate for a No. 1 receiver. New England is said to be shopping JuJu Smith-Schuster and has already told DeVante Parker that he will be released Wednesday if a trade isn't reached with another team.

PATRIOTS LOSE TIGHT END TO BENGALS - The Patriots clearly decided that Hunter Henry is their No. 1 tight end, signing him to a new contract over the weekend. That move allowed Mike Gesicki to hit free agency, and the Bengals gobbled him up Tuesday morning with a one-year contract for $3.25 million.

Signed from the Dolphins a year ago in free agency, Gesicki was a disappointment in Foxboro with only 29 catches for 244 yards and two touchdowns. Just two seasons ago he had 73 receptions in Miami.

Henry led Pats' tight ends with 42 catches for 419 yards and six scores.

MARCH 11

PATS SIGNING EX BROWNS LB SIONE TAKITAKI - Mack Wilson out. Sione Takitaki in.

According to NFL Network, New England is signing the former Browns' linebacker to a two-year, $6.5 million contract. Takitaki, 28, started seven games for Cleveland last season and finished with 66 tackles, two sacks and an interception.

2024 PATRIOTS MINUS 2 MAC(K)S - Patriots' free-agent linebacker Mack Wilson is leaving Foxboro for Arizona. According to NFL Network, he is signing a three-year, $13 million contact to play for the Cardinals.

Wilson played all 34 games (with four starts) for New England the last two seasons, producing five sacks.

The Pats already got rid of their other Mac, as quarterback Jones was traded over the weekend.

SLOW START FOR AFC EAST - The Patriots' division seemingly got a little weaker on the first day of NFL free agency, with key losses by teams on both sides on the ball. A look at the significant early comings and goings in the AFC East:

*Patriots - After trading former franchise quarterback Mac Jones over the weekend, they re-signed receiver Kendrick Bourne, signed former Commanders' third-down running back Antonio Gibson and told receiver DeVante Parker they were releasing him. Late Monday afternoon they lost linebacker Mack Wilson, who agreed to a contract with the Arizona Cardinals.

*Jets - Re-signed kicker Greg Zuerlein, but the loss of star pass-rusher Bryce Huff is sure to dent one of the league's best defenses.

*Bills - They re-signed offensive lineman Dion Dawkins and lost center Mitch Morse to the Jacksonville Jaguars. But the big hit was No. 2 receiver Gabe Davis also signing with the Jags. Late in the afternoon Buffalo also lost star edge-rusher Leonard Floyd, who signed with the San Francisco 49ers.

*Dolphins - Miami opted not to place the franchise tag on Pro Bowl defensive lineman Christian Wilkins, and he bolted to the Las Vegas Raiders and a four-year, $110 million contract. They also lost starting guard Robert Hunt to the Carolina Panthers. The Dolphins remain over the salary cap and, therefore, handcuffed in free agency.

PATRIOTS DONE WITH DEVANTE PARKER - The Patriots offense this season will include receiver Kendrick Bourne and new running back Antonio Gibson, but it will no longer feature DeVante Parker.

After failing in their attempt to trade the veteran receiver, the Pats on Monday - according to ESPN - informed Parker that they will release him and gave him permission to talk to other teams.

With a revamped offense under new coordinator Alex Van Pelt, the 2024 Pats will likely have a new starting quarterback (No. 3 pick in the NFL Draft) and new weapons. They are also believed to be shopping last season's big free-agent signing - receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster.

Parker caught only 33 passes for 394 yards without a touchdown last season.

PATRIOTS SIGNING ANTONIO GIBSON - The Patriots may have landed their backup running back to Rhamondre Stevenson, as they are signing ex Washington Commanders' third-down specialist Antonio Gibson.

The 25-year-old Gibson was a third-round draft pick out of Memphis for the Commanders in 2020. He's played in 61 games, rushing for 2,643 yards and 22 touchdowns while catching 172 passes for 1,283 yards and seven touchdowns.

With Stevenson atop the depth chart, Gibson is likely seen as a third-down back option for the Patriots, as he's averaged 45 receptions per year over the last three seasons.

Gibson's arrival assures that the Pats will not bring back Ezekiel Elliott, who performed admirably last season during Stevenson's injury absence.

KEY NFL SIGNINGS - On a dizzying day of free agency, the headline transactions are quarterback Kirk Cousins (Vikings) to the Atlanta Falcons, running back Saquon Barkley (Giants) to the Philadelphia Eagles and running back Josh Jacobs (Raiders) to the Green Bay Packers.

BILLS RE-SIGN KEY OFFENSIVE LINEMAN - The four-time defending AFC East champion Buffalo Bills will retain a key member of their offensive line after agreeing to a new three-year, $60 million contract with starting left tackle Dion Dawkins.

The Pats, meanwhile, are looking for their next franchise left tackle as Trent Brown hits free agency.

Published Mar 12, 2024

RICHIE WHITT