May 2023 - New England Patriots Wiretap
The New England Patriots have agreed to a contract extension with linebacker Ja'Whaun Bentley, according to a source.
Bentley was under contract for 2023 and was set to earn up to $4.25 million between base salary, bonuses and incentives.
The two-year extension will now allow the linebacker to earn a maximum value of $18.75 million over the next three seasons, according to a source.
The New England Patriots have reached an agreement on a new three-year deal with DeVante Parker, according to a league source.
Parker, who was entering the final year of his contract, can earn up to $33 million if he achieves every per-game roster bonus, and hits all playing time and performance incentives that include All-Pro honors.
The wide receiver totaled 31 receptions for 539 yards and three touchdowns last season in New England after being acquired from the Miami Dolphins in an offseason trade.
ESPN's Bill Barnwell ranked all 32 NFL teams in terms of the strength of their wide receivers, tight ends and running backs, which is headlined by the San Francisco 49ers.
The 49ers ranked third in 2022 and then upgraded by trading for Christian McCaffrey to join their core of Deebo Samuel, George Kittle and Brandon Aiyuk.
The Cincinnati Bengals are ranked second, down first first a year ago.
The Philadelphia Eagles jumped from eighth to third.
Full Rankings
1. 49ers
2. Bengals
3. Eagles
4. Seahawks
5. Chargers
6. Vikings
7. Cowboys
8. Dolphins
9. Jaguars
10. Falcons
11. Raiders
12. Browns
13. Steelers
14. Saints
15. Ravens
16. Lions
17. Bears
18. Buccaneers
19. Chiefs
20. Bills
21. Commanders
22. Jets
23. Rams
24. Broncos
25. Colts
26. Patriots
27. Giants
28. Packers
29. Titans
30. Cardinals
31. Panthers
32. Texans
DeAndre Hopkins is set to visit with the New England Patriots as a free agent this week.
While Bill Belichick was mum on the topic, Mac Jones admitted that he'd love to have the veteran wide receiver on the roster.
"Yeah, I think that's definitely a hypothetical, but I think DeAndre's a great player," Jones said. "I mean, you watch his film from college all the way through the NFL, he's done a great job. Obviously, we'd love to have him, but we do have a great group of guys, and we just know that we want to win, and I know that all the guys feel the same way. But I've been really pleased with all the playmakers we have on our team.
"We've come out here and really bought into the system, and that'll really show in training camp and preseason. Sometimes it's hard to show that out here, but I've been really pleased with the tight ends, running backs and all the receivers, the young guys, the old guys, like D.P. (DeVante Parker) and everybody. So we have a good group and definitely feel like we just need to keep growing together, and whoever's in that room, we're gonna try and dominate together."
The New England Patriots have released James Robinson, just three months after signing the running back.
Robinson, 24, had agreed to a two-year deal with a base value of $4 million on March 15, but it included no guaranteed money.
The contract also included injury waivers and split salaries if Robinson landed on injured reserve. Robinson's release came on the first day of mandatory minicamp, when players routinely take physical examinations.
DeAndre Hopkins is set to visit with the New England Patriots next week, according to sources.
Hopkins is expected to meet with the Tennessee Titans before sitting down with the Patriots.
ESPN ranked the Kansas City Chiefs first in the NFL in terms of having the best core five players on their roster. Kansas City's core consists of QB Patrick Mahomes, TE Travis Kelce, DT Chris Jones, C Creed Humphrey and G Joe Thuney.
The Cincinnati Bengals, Philadelphia Eagles, Miami Dolphins and Buffalo Bills comprise the remainder of the top-5.
1. Chiefs
2. Bengals
3. Eagles
4. Dolphins
5. Bills
6. Cowboys
7. Chargers
8. Jets
9. Ravnes
10. 49ers
11. Browns
12. Jaguars
13. Vikings
14. Seahawks
15. Giants
16. Saints
17. Raiders
18. Lions
19. Steelers
20. Broncos
21. Rams
22. Titans
23. Panthers
24. Packers
25. Bears
26. Buccaneers
27. Patriots
28. Commanders
29. Texans
30. Colts
31. Falcons
32. Cardinals
Davante Adams is expecting big things from new teammate Jakobi Meyers with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Meyers had 67 catches for 804 yards and six touchdowns for the New England Patriots last season. Adams sees Meyers as capable of much more.
"I didn't see him featured as much as maybe he should have been based on what I saw when [the Patriots] came here and we practiced against them [last summer], and so far what I've seen from him now," Adams said. "He's a pro. He's got a lot of tools on the field, and the way he thinks about the game as a relatively young player is impressive to me, so I'm excited to work alongside him."
In an interview with Sports Illustrated, Tom Brady reiterated that he is permanently retired from the NFL.
Brady has bought a stake of the Las Vegas Raiders and they have an uncertain quarterback situation due to Jimmy Garoppolo's foot surgery. The Raiders were interested in signing Brady in 2020.
"I'm certain I'm not playing again," said Brady. "So I've tried to make that clear."
Brady said he's also looking forward to beginning his broadcasting career with Fox in 2024.
Bill Belichick has taken responsibility for the New England Patriots' violation of offseason rules.
The Patriots lost two organized team activities — practices on May 25 and May 30 — and Belichick was fined $50,000.
"The whole situation is in the past. It's resolved, and we've moved on,” Belichick said. "It was three meetings [in Phase 2 of the offseason program]. ... I'm responsible for it, so that's it."
The Patriots held special teams workshops led by assistant Joe Judge that resulted in players spending more than the four hours they are allowed at the team facility.
