Patriots' first free-agent addition is the perfect sign of the identity Mike Vrabel wants to build in New England
The New England Patriots have made their first signing on Monday. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that the Patriots are signing linebacker Robert Spillane to a 3-year, $37M deal. It's another reunion for head coach Mike Vrabel since Spillane was signed to the Tennessee Titans in 2018 as an undrafted free agent. A to Z Sports' Raiders […]
The New England Patriots have made their first signing on Monday.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that the Patriots are signing linebacker Robert Spillane to a 3-year, $37M deal.
It's another reunion for head coach Mike Vrabel since Spillane was signed to the Tennessee Titans in 2018 as an undrafted free agent.
A to Z Sports' Raiders reporter Justin Churchill provided some analysis on what Spillane brings to the table
"Robert Spillane was the quarterback of the Las Vegas Raiders defense in his two years in Las Vegas. Patrick Graham, the Raiders DC, loved him, because his IQ of off the charts, and he is one of the biggest culture guys in the locker room for the Raiders. They’re going to have a tough time replacing him, and New England is going to love his on ball skills as well as his ability to get out in coverage in the middle of the field. He led the Raiders in takeaways his last two seasons," Churchill wrote.
One of the Patriots biggest issues last season on defense was the run game, but Spillane will certainly help them improve in that respect.
Across his seven years in the league, Spillane has appeared in 84 games, recording 487 total tackles, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, six recording, one touchdown, and 19 passes defended.
It's becoming clear that familiarity is key for the Patriots this offseason as Vrabel looks to improve the roster. So far, their only outside signings are guys who have played for the head coach in the past.
