Here’s a look at notable Patriots free agents
In the wake of the Patriots’ 41-33 defeat at the hands of the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LII, Bill Belichick is facing a heavy workload this offseason, with big names set to hit free agency, defensive coordinator Matt Patricia gone to Detroit, and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels linked with the Indianapolis Colts.
Free agency starts March 1. Here’s a look at notable Patriots free agents:
Malcolm Butler, cornerback
Nick Foles shredded the Patriots’ secondary to the tune of 373 yards and three touchdowns on Sunday. Butler, one of the mainstays of that secondary, watched Foles’ performance from the bench. Butler was not happy after the game, and the 27-year-old is an unrestricted free agent.
Dion Lewis, running back
Lewis rushed for six touchdowns and 896 yards this season in his third year with the Patriots, and the 5-foot-8 running back caught three more scores out of the backfield. Lewis finished out his contract this season, and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that the 27-year-old did not hold any extension talks with the team.
Which players might be playing their last game for the @Patriots tonight?@RapSheet provides the latest before #SBLII ⤵️
📺: @NFLGameDay Morning https://t.co/64rMbbfpMX
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) February 4, 2018
Danny Amendola, wide receiver
Amendola was one of Brady’s favorite targets, and for good reason. He caught 61 passes for 659 yards in the regular season, then raised his game a notch or three in the playoffs, catching 26 passes for 348 yards and two touchdowns.
Nate Solder, offensive tackle
The man in charge of protecting Brady’s blindside is coming off his seventh year with the Patriots. Solder was drafted by the Patriots in the first round of the 2011 draft out of the University of Colorado, and the 29-year-old started every game for New England this season.
Matthew Slater, wide receiver
Slater, a team captain and 2016 first team All-Pro, was drafted by the Patriots in 2008. The 32-year-old special teams specialist is a perennial Pro Bowler, and he’s become one of the faces of the franchise at the microphone as well.
The rest of the Patriots offensive free agents are Brandon Bolden (running back), Rex Burkhead (running back), Cameron Fleming (offensive tackle), and LaAdrian Waddle (offensive tackle).
On the defensive side of the ball, Johnson Bademosi (cornerback), Nate Ebner (safety), Marquis Flowers (linebacker), Geneo Grissom (defensive end), James Harrison (linebacker), and Ricky Jean Francois (defensive tackle) are all hitting the free agent market in March.
