Patriots Re-Sign Jalen Mills: New Position?
FOXBORO — Just when you thought cornerback Jalen Mills was out, the New England Patriots pulled him back in.
Just four business days removed from being released by the team, the “Green Goblin” is signing a restructured, one-year contract to remain in Foxboro, per a Wednesday morning report from The Schultz Report.
Mills’ release was originally intended to create a net salary cap savings of approximately $4.1 million. However, his new contract will reportedly be valued at $6.1 million, with the unconfirmed expectation that a portion will be comprised of incentives.
Mills originally joined the Pats on a four-year, $24 million deal signed in the 2021 offseason. Despite his ability to align in multiple positions within the Pats secondary, he Mills played a majority of his time at perimeter corner for the past two seasons.Since that time, he has compiled 78 total tackles, 12 passes-defenses, two interceptions and one fumble recovery.
In 2022, Mills was quite a serviceable option as a starter on the right side of the Pats’ defensive backfield … when he was on the field.
A hamstring injury sidelined him for one game last season, while a groin injury forced him to miss the final six games of the campaign.
Still, Mills was able to log 31 tackles, five pass break-ups and intercept two passes. In the process, he held opposing quarterbacks to completing only 27-of-45 for 333 yards when targeting him.
As such, one might expect Mills to return at his familiar position within the Pats secondary in 2023, correct?
Not so fast…
As they say, here is where the plot thickens …
Schutlz’s report indicates that Mills’ return was accommodated under the understating that he will be playing safety for the upcoming season. With the Pats having a clear need at the position — in the wake of team captain Devin McCourty’s retirement — the soon-to-be 29-year-old will provide both stability and system continuity in 2023.
For Mills, it will be a return to a a role which yielded his best statistical season. As a member of the Philadelphia Eagles in 2020, he accounted for 74 combined tackles , 1.5 sacks and an interception while aligning mostly at box or free safety.
Mills now rejoins a positional grouping which includes Kyle Dugger, Adrian Phillips, Jabrill Peppers and Joshuah Bledsoe.
In the final analysis, Mills’ return proves that thing are always being negotiated which will solve all problems and answer all questions.
… and that’s all they can tell you about their business.
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