The New England Patriots have moved on from another players signed during their 2021 free-agency spree.

The Patriots are releasing defensive back Jalen Mills, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Friday. Mills was entering Year 3 of a four-year, $24 million contract signed back in 2021. Releasing Mills frees up nearly $5 million in salary cap space before accounting for the Top 51 rule.

The Patriots have worked hard on re-signing key players from their defense that ranked third in EPA per play last season. Mills and free safety Devin McCourty, who retired this offseason, will be the top players missing in 2023.

Mills primarily played outside cornerback with the Patriots, though he was more of a Swiss Army Knife in a previous stop with the Philadelphia Eagles, lining up at cornerback, safety and in the slot. The Patriots’ defensive back group, which includes cornerbacks Jonathan Jones, Jack Jones, Marcus Jones, Myles Bryant, Shaun Wade, Quandre Mosely and Rodney Randle and safeties Kyle Dugger, Adrian Phillips, Jabrill Peppers, Joshuah Bledsoe, Brad Hawkins and Brenden Schooler, has some holes. Most notably, the Patriots either need an outside cornerback or a free safety.

As currently constructed, Jonathan Jones and Jack Jones could start outside with Marcus Jones in the slot. But that leaves the Patriots with three players who primarily play strong safety in Dugger, Phillips and Peppers. If New England decides to move Jonathan Jones to free safety, which is a move that makes some sense given his speed, range and history in the defense, then that leaves the Patriots without a second outside cornerback.

The Patriots must have something up their sleeve. This is also a strong draft for cornerbacks, and a top option very well could be available for New England at No. 14 overall. Marcus Peters, William Jackson III and Shaquill Griffin are among the top cornerbacks available in free agency.

Mills missed seven game last season due to injury. He allowed nine touchdowns in two seasons with the Patriots.