Jalen Mills is returning to the New England Patriots for a third season.
The veteran cornerback is back with the Pats on a reconfigured one-year deal worth up to $6.1 million, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Mills made 26 starts for New England over the last two seasons after spending his first five years in the NFL with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Mills had two years remaining on the four-year agreement he signed with the Patriots in 2021. This reworked contract keeps Mills around while trimming one year off the original deal.
“Like this move for the Patriots. Better depth at CB and safety. Looks like Mills takes a pay cut but has the chance to make it all back in incentives,” said Ben Volin of the Boston Globe.
Like this move for the Patriots. Better depth at CB and safety. Looks like Mills takes a pay cut but has the chance to make it all back in incentives https://t.co/6l1wlTvk5c
— Ben Volin (@BenVolin) March 22, 2023
“Needed to have him back after losing McCourty. Good move for a guy who knows the system in NE,” said Jacob Lintner of Lintner Media.
Needed to have him back after losing Mccourty. Good move for a guy who knows the system in NE
— Jacob Lintner (@lintnermedia) March 22, 2023
“Gonna be a ton of incentives here considering Mills was cut ahead of a $6M 2023 base pay. Included $1M in per game roster bonuses, could see those again too Patriots have had the most incentive-heavy deals of the offseason thus far (Smith-Schuster, Gesicki, James Robinson),” said PFF’s Brad Spielberger.
Gonna be a ton of incentives here considering Mills was cut ahead of a $6M 2023 base pay. Included $1M in per game roster bonuses, could see those again too
Patriots have had the most incentive-heavy deals of the offseason thus far (Smith-Schuster, Gesicki, James Robinson) https://t.co/6Z6bDuYX9c
— Brad Spielberger, Esq. (@PFF_Brad) March 22, 2023
“It seems like the cornerback market is cooling off around the league. This is a very reasonable deal for an above average corner. Could definitely see Ryan Poles signing a corner in the near future to give himself more flexibility in the draft,” noted a Bears fan account.
Mills, who turns 29 in April, recorded 78 tackles, two interceptions and 12 passes defensed over the last two seasons with New England.