Patriots bringing back another free-agent defender
The Patriots’ defense was a top unit in 2022.
The New England Patriots are getting the gang back together on defense in 2023.
The Patriots are re-signing linebacker Mack Wilson on a one-year deal worth up to $2.2 million, NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero reported Thursday.
WIlson was acquired by the Patriots in a trade with the Cleveland Browns last offseason. He played in 17 games and made three starts while registering 36 tackles, two tackles for loss, two QB hits, 1.5 sacks, one pass breakup and one forced fumble.
Wilson originally entered the NFL with the Browns as a 2019 fifth-round pick out of Alabama. He played 236 defensive snaps and 284 snaps on special teams last season with New England.
As of this signing, the Patriots have yet to lose a defensive free agent, though free safety Devin McCourty retired. They’ve re-signed Wilson, defensive tackle Carl Davis, linebacker Raekwon McMillan, cornerbacks Jonathan Jones and Myles Bryant and safety Jabrill Peppers.
The Patriots’ defense ranked third-best in EPA per play in 2022. They’re hosting free-agent pass rusher Andrew Van Ginkel and safety Taylor Rapp on Thursday but have yet to make an addition on defense. They have signed outside free agents on offense, however, in wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, running back James Robinson and offensive tackles Riley Reiff and Calvin Anderson.
