After a seven and nine season in the first year without Tom Brady, the Patriots wasted no time getting involved in free agency signings starting on March 17th. They spent a franchise record 159.6 million dollars guaranteed in the 2021 to ten players signed in free agency. This means that no matter what happens, they are paying these players all of this money. 

The Patriots knew after a below .500 season they had to acquire some key players in order to replace some crucial spots in their roster that they were lacking in the prior year. These sports included tight ends, wide receivers, secondary, and linemen both on offense and defense. 

The free agency signings consisted of tight ends Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith, who both had breakout seasons the year before. This helped the Patriots fill a hole in the tight end spot after being last in the NFL the year before in catches, yards, and touchdowns by tight ends. 

They also added some depth in the receiving core with pick ups of wide receivers Kendrick Bourne and Nelson Agholor. These moves are in hopes of lifting the offense to more scores after having the 27th best offense. Nelson Agholor broke personal records the year before with eight touchdowns and 896 receiving yards with the Raiders. Kendrick Bourne also broke his personal record with 667 yards with 49ers. These stats were provided by NFL Network ESPN. 

After one year with the Patriots, quarterback Cam Newton was re-signed by the Patriots on a one year, ten million dollar deal. Cam Newton said on the Felger and Mazz show, “I’m excited for a second opportunity with the organization and with my new and previous teammates.” Cam will look for better numbers this year with new faces lined up on his left and right. 

With Safety Patrick Chung retiring, they went out and signed DB Coby Davis and DB Jalen Mills. They also added more depth on the defensive line with pick ups of DL Henry Anderson, Deatrich Wise Jr, and familiar face LB Kyle Van Noy. 

When ESPN asked Bill Belichick about the Patriots offseason moves, he answered, “We are excited about the additions to our roster so far this year.” Bill Belichick and the Patriots front office were very aggressive and active on the first day of free agency and were very happy with how it went

The players are all very excited and anxious to get out on the field with their new team. CBS sports asked Hunter Henry about joining the Patriots, he replied, “It’s an honor to play for such a successful coach in BIll Belichick, and the successful Patriots organization. I can’t wait for the start of the season with my new teammates and staff.”

The Patriots had more of a reload off season with a very busy and expensive free agency. They look to use this new man power in hopes of another winning season.