NFL free agency is still ongoing, and Monday showcased that perfectly. While the overall market has slowed down, two key moves involving the New England Patriots took place: the team decided to match the Las Vegas Raiders’ offer sheet for restricted free agent linebacker Christian Elliss and saw kicker Joey Slye sign with the Tennessee Titans.
Let’s break down these transactions and explore their significance for the Patriots.
LB Christian Elliss: Re-signed with a 2-Year Contract
A glimpse of what’s ahead: The Patriots had the option to match the Raiders’ offer, and they chose to re-sign Elliss to a two-year contract. While contract details will provide more clarity, the decision to keep him indicates New England’s plans: the 26-year-old is expected to be part of the linebacker rotation, alongside new free agent acquisitions Robert Spillane and Jack Gibbens.
Additionally, this deal offers stability at linebacker. Currently, Elliss, Spillane, and Jahlani Tavai are the only linebackers under contract beyond 2025.
Ongoing linebacker questions: As for Spillane and Gibbens, they, along with Elliss, are likely to anchor the linebacker unit this season. It’ll be interesting to see who else will join them, considering the current roster composition:
- Robert Spillane (14)
- Ja’Whaun Bentley (8)
- Jack Gibbens (51)
- Jahlani Tavai (48)
- Christian Elliss (53)
- Monty Rice (45)
Spillane is expected to start and fit well with the new defensive vision under Mike Vrabel and Terrell Williams. Ja’Whaun Bentley is also a candidate for a starting role and is working on transforming his body to meet the coaching staff’s expectations for off-ball linebackers.
The main uncertainties lie with Jahlani Tavai and Monty Rice. Tavai had a rough 2024 season but could still add value in a more specific role, while Rice is mainly seen as a depth and special teams option with experience under Vrabel.
Double benefit: Keeping Elliss not only helps stabilize the linebacker group but also strengthens the kicking game. In 2024, Elliss ranked fourth on the team with 247 special teams snaps (56.5%) and second with eight tackles. He also contributed a forced fumble and recovery.
It’s unclear how the Patriots will utilize him on special teams moving forward, but having him available gives coordinator Jeremy Springer another experienced player to work with.
50% retention rate: With Elliss returning, the Patriots have retained half of their original 16 free agents. The team has re-signed or tendered eight players (including two unrestricted free agents, one restricted, and five exclusive rights free agents), while five others have signed elsewhere. As of Tuesday morning, three free agents—RB Ja’Mycal Hasty, OL Lester Cotton, and ED Oshane Ximines—are still unsigned.
K Joey Slye: Signed by Titans
No surprise: Despite some solid moments in 2024, Slye’s departure was expected. After converting just 78.8% of his field goals and 96.2% of extra points, ranking 29th and 20th in the NFL, respectively, the Patriots saw the need for change. Although not every miss was entirely his fault, the team decided it was time for a fresh start. Currently, former practice squad kicker John Parker Romo is the only place kicker under contract, but competition is expected to be added soon.
More turnover at kicker: With Slye now gone, the Patriots will have a new kicker for the fourth consecutive season. In 2022, Nick Folk handled field goals and extra points, followed by Chad Ryland in 2023 and Slye in 2024. Whether it’s Romo or another player, a new kicker will take over in 2025.
What was once a stable position for New England has now become a revolving door.
No compensatory impact: Slye is the fifth free agent to leave the Patriots for another team, joining QB Jacoby Brissett (Arizona), DL Deatrich Wise Jr. (Washington), DL Daniel Ekuale (Pittsburgh), and CB Jonathan Jones (Washington). These moves will affect the NFL’s compensatory draft picks formula for 2026, but New England won’t receive any extra picks. This is because their 13 free agent signings include 10 compensatory free agents, meaning the Patriots will go three years without receiving compensatory picks.
