As the details regarding various free-agent deals make their way into PFT headquarters, some things stand out.
For the wave of 2026 contracts, one specific fact stands out clearly.
The three-year deal negotiated by the Patriots and offensive lineman Alijah Vera-Tucker includes per-game roster bonuses in the amount of $4.25 million. Per year.
It’s the largest per-game roster bonus we’ve ever seen, by far. It works out to $250,000 earned for each game he plays. And $250,000 lost for each game he misses.
The contract otherwise has a signing bonus of $7.2 million and base salaries of $2.3 million for 2026 (fully guaranteed), $9.5 million for 2027 ($7 million of which is fully-guaranteed at signing), and $9.5 million for 2028.
Vera-Tucker, a first-round pick of the Jets in 2021, has $2 million in annual incentives, tied to playing time and qualifying for the Pro Bowl.
The contract also has annual workout bonuses of $250,000. The 2026 workout bonus is fully guaranteed, but it must be earned.
The $4.25 million in per-game roster bonuses for 2026 are also fully guaranteed, but they also must be earned. (The guarantees only come into play if Vera-Tucker is released before or during the 2026 season.)
The Patriots had reason to protect themselves. A first-round pick in 2021, Vera-Tucker missed all of 2025 due to a torn triceps. He also missed 24 other games in four seasons.
Still, it’s a massive amount that is tied directly to his ability to play. It also creates a sizable incentive to make him inactive in late-season games that carry no real meaning.
We’ll see how it goes. There’s no precedent to compare it to. In all, $12.75 million is tied to being able to play. That makes the base APY as low as $9.75 million and as high as $14 million.
The Patriots have struck deals with two more free agents.
According to multiple reports, they have agreed to terms with tight end Julian Hill and safety Mike Brown. Hill was not tendered as a restricted free agent by the Dolphins while the Titans made the same call regarding Brown.
Hill appeared in 45 games and made 26 starts over the past three seasons. He had 33 catches for 288 yards in those appearances and will slot in as the No. 2 tight end behind Hunter Henry once he’s officially on the roster in New England.
Brown played for Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel in Tennessee in 2023, which gives him something in common with another new member of the Patriots secondary. Kevin Byard also agreed to terms with the team on Wednesday and both players will help provide a new look at the safety position after Jaylinn Hawkins left for Baltimore.
Veteran safety Kevin Byard’s next stop will be in New England.
Tom Pelissero of NFL Media reports that Byard and the Patriots have agreed to a one-year deal. Once the deal is official, Byard will be set to make $9 million during the 2026 season.
Byard’s move to the Patriots will reunite him with head coach Mike Vrabel. Byard was a Titans third-round pick in 2016 and Vrabel was the head coach in Tennessee from 2018-2023.
The Titans traded Byard to the Eagles during the 2023 season and he moved on to Chicago for the last two seasons. He had 93 tackles and a league-high seven interceptions for the NFC North champs. Byard was named a first-team All-Pro for the third time in his career at the end of the year and the Patriots will be hoping he continues to perform at a high level in his 11th NFL season.
K.J. Britt is moving to a different team in the AFC East.
Britt has agreed to sign a one-year deal with the Patriots, via Adam Schefter of ESPN.
Britt, 26, spent the 2025 season with the Dolphins. He was heavily involved in the club’s special teams, playing 77 percent of the unit’s snaps on the year. He also played 14 percent of defensive snaps.
A Buccaneers fifth-round pick in 2021, Britt has appeared in 76 career games with 16 starts. He’s recorded 161 total tackles with three passes defensed, four tackles for loss, and three QB hits.
The Patriots will have a very different look on the edges of their defense in 2026.
Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that they will release Anfernee Jennings on Wednesday. K’Lavon Chaisson is also set to sign with the Commanders, which leaves incoming free agent Dre’Mont Jones and the returning Harold Landry as the top players on the depth chart in New England.
Releasing Jennings will clear over $3.8 million in cap space for the Patriots.
Jennings was a 2020 third-round pick and he appeared in 75 games over the last six seasons, although he missed all of the 2021 season while on injured reserve. He had 217 tackles, 7.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries in that action.
