Patriots Rumors: Newcomer Signed Interesting New Deal

The Patriots clearly have been impressed with linebacker Ochaun Mathis.

Mathis originally signed at the conclusion of training camp, joining New England’s practice squad after spending most of the summer with the Los Angeles Rams. The Patriots got him familiar with the system for a few weeks, before using all three of his standard elevations and eventually inking him to a standard contract following Joshua Uche’s trade to the Kansas City Chiefs.

ESPN’s Mike Reiss reported on Friday that it wasn’t a typical contract, however.

New England locked the 25-year-old into a new deal spanning two seasons, an atypical contract for someone joining the active roster straight from the practice squad. The Patriots likely made the move to ensure at least some depth on the edge, as only Keion White and Anfernee Jennings are signed beyond this season.

Patriots salary cap expert Miguel Benzan noted the cap hits for each season, with Mathis accounting for $508,333 in 2024 and $1.03 million in 2025.

Mathis appeared in three contests prior to inking a new deal, earning just five total defensive snaps while becoming a core member of the special teams units — picking up 40 total snaps in the third phase. It’s expected he’ll be given more opportunities defensively with Uche now in Kansas City.