NFL Rumors: Ex-Patriots Starter Cut By Projected Last-Place Team

Jalen Mills was not long for the Meadowlands.

ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter on Thursday morning reported Mills was released by the Giants. The veteran defensive back, who was on the NFI list due to a calf strain, signed a one-year deal worth nearly $1.4 million with New York back in March.

Mills latched on with the G-Men following a three-year run with the Patriots, who signed the 30-year-old to a four-year, $24 million pact in March 2021. Mills appeared in 43 games — including 34 starts — for New England and logged a combined 123 total tackles with 13 passes defended, two interceptions, two quarterback hits and a forced fumble.

A return to Foxboro, Mass., is highly unlikely for Mills, barring injuries. The secondary is one of the few areas where the Patriots are primed for success in 2024, as Jerod Mayo’s group features above-average tandems at both cornerback (Christian Gonzalez, Jonathan Jones) and safety (Kyle Dugger, Jabrill Peppers).

Mills should be able to find NFL work somewhere else, though. Schefter reported the eighth-year pro now is healthy following the calf issue and is “expected to draw interest” on the open market.

Ironically enough, two of Mills’ former teams — the Patriots and the Philadelphia Eagles — will meet for a preseason game Thursday evening at Gillette Stadium.