Mike Vrabel has rebuilt the New England Patriots' identity into one centered around defense. Last season, the Patriots allowed the fourth-fewest points (18.8 per game) and the sixth-fewest rushing yards (101.7) behind a unit loaded with playmakers, including linebackers Robert Spillane and Harold Landry III and cornerbacks Marcus Jones and Christian Gonzalez. New England added more depth this offseason, but with the regular season nearing, they're apparently not done yet.
On Tuesday, ESPN's Mike Reiss reported that the Patriots had veteran free-agent defensive tackle DaQuan Jones and free-agent linebacker Shaq Thompson in for visits. Both players last played for New England's AFC East rivals, the Buffalo Bills. More news: Buccaneers Get Major Boost as WR Jalen McMillan Returns to Practice Jones was a fourth-round pick (No. 112 overall) in 2014 by the Tennessee Titans, where he spent the first seven seasons of his career — the last three under Vrabel.
Now 34, Jones was a valuable member of Buffalo's defensive front last season, finishing with 22 combined tackles, three tackles for loss, eight quarterback hits, three sacks, a forced fumble, and an interception across 12 starts. That marked his fourth season with the Bills, but Buffalo chose not to re-sign him once his contract expired after 2025. More news: Chiefs Face Concerning Injury as Top Breakout Candidate Leaves Practice on Cart More news: Chargers’ Mike McDaniel Says Justin Herbert Has Exceeded Expectations So Far Thompson, 32, was a first-round pick (No. 25 overall) in 2015 by the Carolina Panthers, where he spent the first 10 years of his career before joining the Bills last season.
He also played a key role in Buffalo, recording 56 combined tackles, six tackles for loss, two quarterback hits, two pass breakups, a forced fumble, and a sack across 12 games (six starts). Like Jones, the Bills chose not to bring him back for 2026. Both players have spent more than a decade in the league and would add valuable veteran depth to a Patriots team eyeing another Super Bowl run.
It would also allow New England to pull two former contributors away from a division rival just weeks before the regular season kicks off.
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