Welcome to Patriot’s: New England’s confirms the signing of a 5-star elite defensive linesman…
The New England Patriots aren’t wasting time changing the makeup of their defense on Mike Vrabel’s watch, reuniting their new head coach with a favorite from his Tennessee Titans days, edge-rusher Harold Landry III. on the same day they re-signed tight end Austin Hooper, a go-to target for rookie quarterback Drake Maye last season.
Landry is signing “a 3 year deal for 43.5M with $26M fully guaranteed. Max value of 48M,” according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero
former offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt’s schemes last season. Schefter’s fellow ESPN reporter Mike Reiss detailed how “Hooper’s close ties with fellow TE Hunter Henry, and his belief in the promise of QB Drake Maye, were among the factors that led him to return to New England over other options.”
Retaining Hooper keeps an important weapon for Maye in the fold, but Landry is the bigger signing. Joining the Patriots is a homecoming of sorts for the 28-year-old. Pelissero’s colleague Mike Garafolo pointed out Landry is a “Boston College guy back to the Boston area.”
Vrabel isn’t the only familiar face waiting to greet Landry at Gillette Stadium. New defensive coordinator Terrell Williams coached defensive line for the Titans during the same six-year stint in Tennessee.
Williams and Vrabel are going to alter the style of defense played in New England, and Landry is the first building block.