The New England Patriots finally made a splash in free agency.
The Patriots signed pass rusher Jabaal Sheard to a two-year deal worth $11 million with a $4 million signing bonus, the Baltimore Sun’s Aaron Wilson reported Wednesday. Sheard’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, announced the signing Wednesday night. Sheard went to New England for a free-agent visit Tuesday night.
Sheard has a base salary of $1 million in 2015 with a $1 million roster bonus and will make $4 million in base salary in 2016 with a $1 million roster bonus.
Sheard had 23 sacks in four seasons with the Cleveland Browns. He has experience as a defensive end in a four-man front and at outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense. His most productive season as a pass rusher came in 2011, his rookie season playing defensive end, when he had 8.5 sacks and 55 total pressures.
Sheard likely will rotate with starters Chandler Jones and Rob Ninkovich at defensive end while playing heavily on third down and in obvious passing situations.
Thumbnail photo via Ron Schwane/USA TODAY Sports Images
