Marquee Free-Agent Pickup Sends Message Upon Signing With Patriots

Harold Landry III was on the worst team in the NFL last season. And the former Tennessee Titans edge rusher didn’t exactly upgrade in that regard by joining the New England Patriots.

The Patriots only had one more win than the Titans last season, but Landry expects better days ahead for his new team after New England splurged in free agency, especially on the defensive side of the ball.

And that seems to have made Landry optimistic as he delivered a message upon signing his three-year, $43.5 million contract, which became official Wednesday.

“Excited to be here. Can’t wait to get to work, man,” Landry said, per team-provided video. “Bright things ahead.”

Adding Landry, who was a cap casualty for Tennessee, was the first move the Patriots made this week to upgrade their defense. He flourished under Mike Vrabel with the Titans, accumulating double-digit sack seasons in 2021 and 2023, which were sandwiched around a year he lost due to a torn ACL.

The 28-year-old outside linebacker was still productive this past season, compiling 71 tackles — his third straight season with at least 70 takedowns — to go along with nine sacks.

The Patriots certainly need Landry’s ability to get after the quarterback since New England registered a league-low 28 sacks last season.

Landry will have help in trying to make “bright things ahead” come to fruition. The Patriots not only added Landry, but also agreed to contracts with linebacker Robert Spillane, cornerback Carlton Davis, offensive tackle Morgan Moses, wide receiver Mack Hollins and defensive tackle Milton Williams, who was the prize pick up in free agency.

That won’t make the Patriots a Super Bowl contender by any means. But they are closer to being a playoff team, at least on paper.