NFL Rumors: Patriots, Patrick Chung Agree On Two-Year Contract Extension

The New England Patriots and veteran safety Patrick Chung on Wednesday agreed to terms on a two-year contract extension, according to a report from ESPN’s Field Yates.

The new deal will pay Chung, who had two years remaining on his previous contract, $12.8 million over the next four seasons, including a $3 million signing bonus, per Yates.

It also likely frees up the necessary salary cap space to sign second-round draft pick Kyle Dugger, who projects as Chung’s eventual replacement. Chung was set to carry a cap hit of $5.9 million in 2020 and $3.7 million in 2021.

Chung will turn 33 in August and has battled numerous injuries in recent years, including heel, chest and ankle ailments that sidelined him for three games and parts of two others last season. He also underwent shoulder and forearm surgery after the 2018 season.

The extension doesn’t necessarily tie Chung to the Patriots through the 2023 season, at which point he’ll be 36 years old. ESPN’s Mike Reiss tweeted that Chung’s “added years are mostly there to provide the team cap relief.”

The Patriots’ depth chart at safety currently consists of Devin McCourty — who re-signed earlier this offseason — Chung, Adrian Phillips, Dugger, Terrence Brooks, Cody Davis, Malik Gant and Adarius Pickett. Phillips, Dugger and Davis are newcomers.

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