The New England Patriots came into the offseason with a massive amount of money to spend. They needed to spend it, too. The roster was void of talent last year, leading to some abysmal performances on a week-to-week basis. There were bright spots. Rookie quarterback Drake Maye looks like the future of the franchise, and Christian Gonzalez looks like an All-Pro in the making on the defensive side of the ball. Head coach Mike Vrabel will bring in a new culture and hopefully bring more winning. The team is bringing in a quality veteran to help with the culture. Former Lions’ cornerback Carlton Davis is signing a three-year deal with the team.
New England Patriots Sign Carlton Davis
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports it is a massive three-year, $60 million deal with $34.5 million guaranteed. Carlton Davis spent last season with the Detroit Lions and had a solid year. In 13 games, he had 56 total tackles, 11 passes defended, one forced fumble, and two interceptions. Before that, he spent six years in Tampa Bay, winning a title with the team when Tom Brady headed up the offense.
This is a quality signing for the New England Patriots. They get a veteran cornerback who is still only 28 years old. He is used to winning with both the Bucs and Lions. When a team has had a few rough seasons in a row, it is important to make sure a losing culture doesn’t seep into the locker room. Davis will hopefully bring a winning culture and help Gonzalez continue to develop.
2025 Outlook
The Buffalo Bills will rule the AFC East for the near future. Josh Allen signed a massive extension, making them the top dog in the division for the next decade. However, the rest of the division isn’t strong. Miami has an aging roster and feels like a house of cards. If everyone is healthy, the offense looks great. If anyone gets injured, it all falls apart. The New York Jets are still the Jets. Aaron Glenn was a great hire, but there are massive roster questions, including the quarterback position.
Vrabel has proven he can do more with less. If the roster can make some significant upgrades, there is no reason this team cannot be at least halfway decent in 2025. The team will continue to be aggressive in free agency, and it will be interesting to see what the depth chart looks like by the end of the week.
