The New England Patriots reportedly locked up a member of their linebacking corps Saturday, signing Jonathan Freeny to a two-year contract extension.
Ben Volin of The Boston Globe first reported the signing, which several other outlets later confirmed.
Freeny, who was set to become a free agent in 2017, initially signed a one-year deal with the Patriots last March, then earned a one-year extension less than a month into the 2015 season. He played in 13 games in his first season with New England, starting seven, and finished with a career-high 50 tackles.
“Jonathan is a very dependable player,” Patriots coach Bill Belichick said Saturday in a conference call with reporters. “He’s able to (play) a lot of different roles with us. He can play inside and outside, on the line of scrimmage and off the ball defensively. He’s been a very valuable player for us in the kicking game, obviously with some size. He’s been a four-phase special-teams player.
“One of our, I’d say, overall top workers in terms of the offseason program, preparation, training. Always does things right. Works hard. Doesn’t say a lot but is very dependable and consistent. I think everybody in the organization looks up to him.”
After overcoming training-camp limitations, Freeny made his preseason debut last week against the Chicago Bears, starting at linebacker alongside Jamie Collins and Dont’a Hightower.
The 27-year-old came off the bench Friday against the Carolina Panthers — Belichick opted to start rookie Elandon Roberts with Collins and Hightower — and played deep into the second half, finishing with two tackles.
Thumbnail photo via Jim Dedmon/USA TODAY Sports Images
