Patriots' surprise news comes with position switch
Days after the New England Patriots informed Jalen Mills of his release, the veteran defensive back is no longer leaving. The Patriots have reached a revised one-year deal worth up to $6.1 million with Mills, per ESPN. The agreement comes with a twist: Mills is moving back to safety, per The Score's Jordan Schultz. The […]
Days after the New England Patriots informed Jalen Mills of his release, the veteran defensive back is no longer leaving.
The Patriots have reached a revised one-year deal worth up to $6.1 million with Mills, per ESPN. The agreement comes with a twist: Mills is moving back to safety, per The Score's Jordan Schultz. The revised contract likely comes with incentives and a lower salary cap hit than Mills had on his previous deal.
Mills spent the last two seasons at cornerback after signing a four-year, $32 million contract with the Patriots in free agency two years ago. During his previous tenure with the Philadelphia Eagles, Mills played cornerback, slot and safety.
The Patriots have needs at cornerback and safety. They’re looking for a free safety after Devin McCourty retired and already have Kyle Dugger, Adrian Phillips and Jabrill Peppers atop their safety depth chart. New England also lacks a big, physical cornerback with Jonathan Jones, Jack Jones, Marcus Jones and Myles Bryant as the top players at that position.
If Mills moves back to safety, then cornerback becomes the top priority for the Patriots in the 2023 NFL Draft. Luckily, it’s a loaded draft at cornerback, and the Patriots are picking 14th overall.
Featured image via Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
