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Patriots reportedly lose veteran linebacker in free agency
Mack Wilson Sr. recorded 37 tackles, 3.5 sacks, four QB hits, and two forced fumbles during the 2023 season.
One of the Patriots’ most versatile contributors on a stout 2023 defense will reportedly be playing elsewhere in 2024.
Linebacker Mack Wilson Sr. has agreed to a three-year deal with the Arizona Cardinals, per ESPN’s Mike Reiss. MassLive’s Mark Daniels reported on Sunday that the Patriots were working to sign Wilson before the free-agency bidding officially began on Monday, issuing a “competitive 3-year offer” to the veteran.
Wilson ultimately opted for a similar contract with Arizona, with NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport reporting on Monday that his new deal with the Cardinals is for $12.75 million — and can be worth up to $15 million.
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The 26-year-old Wilson put together the best season of his career during the 2023 season in New England. Over 17 games, Wilson recorded 37 tackles, 3.5 sacks, four QB hits, and two forced fumbles.
As noted by Daniels, Pro Football Focus gave Wilson an 86.9 coverage grade in 2023 — one of the top marks among NFL linebackers last year.
Wilson’s versatility would have been welcomed on New England’s defense in 2024 and beyond. The former University of Alabama product admitted in January that Jerod Mayo’s role on New England’s coaching staff in 2024 held plenty of sway over whether or not he wanted to return.
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“It’s really, like I say, second to none. I mean obviously you have coaches who coach the game and obviously played the game maybe when he was younger, but having a guy like Mayo, who played the game at a high level,” Wilson told A to Z Sports’ Sophie Sophie Weller of playing for Mayo. “(He) was drafted first round, was Pro Bowl, high accolades, things like that. Been there.
“Same organization and same practice fields, same locker room. It just hits different, honestly. I’ve just been blessed to be able to be coached by him for two years. Learned a lot from him. And hopefully this is not the last time I’m being coached by him.”
Even with Mayo now taking over as New England’s head coach, Wilson ultimately decided to put pen to paper on a deal out west.
With Wilson out of the equation, New England’s linebacker corps now features linebackers Ja’Whaun Bentley, Jahlani Tavai, Raekwon McMillan, and Joe Giles-Harris.
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