{"id":66018,"date":"2026-03-09T04:30:15","date_gmt":"2026-03-09T08:30:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/?p=66018"},"modified":"2026-03-09T08:13:02","modified_gmt":"2026-03-09T12:13:02","slug":"morse-nfl-legal-tampering-starts-today","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/2026\/03\/09\/morse-nfl-legal-tampering-starts-today\/","title":{"rendered":"MORSE: NFL Legal Tampering Starts Today"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Opening of the Legal Tampering phase of Free Agency begins at noon today.\u00a0 Shortly thereafter is when reports of signings will start to ring out over the internet as Agents and Players announce who they will be signing with.\u00a0 These are a very important few days for the next Patriots season.\u00a0 The players they sign are the building blocks upon which this new team for the 2026 season will be built.\u00a0 The Patriots have some very big holes to fill, but have at $57M in cap space according to \u201cPatscap\u201d Miguel Benzan.<\/p>\n

The big question is, will Robert Kraft allow Mike Vrabel, Eliot Wolf, Ryan Cowden, and Stretch Streicher to spend up to that amount?\u00a0 I doubt it!\u00a0 Kraft\u2019s history is to spend to bring up his cash spending in one year to align with the minimum required by the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), then not spend for the next two years.\u00a0 The Patriots also have Christian Gonzalez’s contract extension bonus money this year and Drake Maye’s bonus money next year to think about.<\/p>\n

The Patriots are now a destination that Free Agents want to come to.\u00a0 The Patriots improved their NFL Players Association ratings, and that will improve dramatically when the new practice facility is completed.\u00a0 The two big drawbacks are the Massachusetts Millionaires Tax and the Patriots\u2019 travel on an antiquated aircraft that the team owns.<\/p>\n

Free Agent Priorities \u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n

What is the biggest need on this team, OL or WR?\u00a0 I think it is clearly OL.\u00a0 Your starting Center from last season is gone via trade.\u00a0 Either Jared Wilson or Ben Brown will take that spot.\u00a0 I would love to see a veteran LG signed.\u00a0 Finding a future replacement for Morgan Moses can wait until the draft.\u00a0 Right now, Marcus Bryant is the backup Right Tackle.\u00a0 The team can afford to wait until the Draft to fill this spot.\u00a0 Perhaps a low-cost backup at Left Tackle would provide some competition in camp.<\/p>\n

Finding a #1 Wide Receiver to replace Stefon Diggs isn\u2019t as much a priority as you think.\u00a0 Steven Smith, the former WR and NFL Analyst, stated that the duo of Kayshon Boutte and Kyle Williams may have had their growth stunted by Diggs.\u00a0 Pop Douglas surely saw his playing time, targets, receptions, and yards go down drastically because Diggs took his spot in the slot.\u00a0 The emergence of Efton Chism could also fill in the void of Diggs a bit. I would love to acquire a top WR without having to give up draft currency to do it.<\/p>\n

Safety and Defensive EDGE Openings \u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n

What Jaylinn Hawkins and K\u2019Lavon Chaisson do in Free Agency will force the Patriots to fill one or both of these slots. \u00a0\u00a0Unfortunately for both players, it\u2019s a perfect storm against them.\u00a0 In Free Agency, both positions are loaded with good players that will probably drive down their markets.\u00a0 Further, it\u2019s a great year in the draft class for both positions, further lowering their markets.\u00a0 Anything over $9M for either player is an overspend.<\/p>\n

In my previous Free Agency article<\/strong><\/a>, I talked about the Under-the-Radar Free Agents.\u00a0 These are the top Free Agents I feel are a fit for the Patriots, and the SPOTRAC Market Price (in parentheses) these players are expected to receive on an Average Annual Value (AAV).\u00a0 The terms, incentives, bonuses, and number of years are negotiable.<\/p>\n

Wide Receiver<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Alex Pierce ($21M)<\/strong> \u2013 I think he gets closer to the $29M AJ Brown will get this year.<\/p>\n

Romeo Doubs ($12M<\/strong>) \u2013 Might be the best option for the Patriots.<\/p>\n

Offensive Guard<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Joel Bitonio ($12.5M) <\/strong>\u2013 A one-year contract with a chance to get to the playoffs.\u00a0 A veteran presence between 2nd<\/sup> year OL Wilson and Campbell and a mentor to groom a rookie to take his spot next year.<\/p>\n

Issac Seumalo ($9.6M) <\/strong>\u2013 Another veteran Guard in case they can\u2019t get Bitonio to join them and postpone retirement.<\/p>\n

\"K'Lavon<\/p>\n
(PHOTO: Eric Canha-Imagn Images)<\/span><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

EDGE<\/strong><\/h3>\n

K\u2019Lavon Chaisson ($8.5M) <\/strong>\u2013 Perhaps this is the best he can get.\u00a0 I know the Patriots want to retain him after having the best year of his career.\u00a0 He will be their 1st<\/sup> priority, but if he insists on chasing the top dollar in the market, the Patriots will be forced to look elsewhere and quickly.<\/p>\n

Boye Mafe (12.5M)<\/strong> – Not quite the top of the market.\u00a0 He only had 2 Sacks last year.<\/p>\n

Odafe Oweh ($19.3M)<\/strong> – He is the one edge player I would spend the money on.\u00a0 I believe he would be great in Zac Kuhr\u2019s defensive scheme.<\/p>\n

Trey Hendrickson ($25M)<\/strong> \u2013 maybe I would have spent that last year on him.\u00a0 He is too expensive, and they have so many other holes to fill.<\/p>\n

Dre\u2019Mont Jones ($10.3M)<\/strong> \u2013 The 29-year-old former Ohio State Buckeye had the same number of sacks as Chaisson.\u00a0 At 6\u20192\u201d, 281 pounds, he is much better at setting the edge.\u00a0 He is 30 pounds bigger than the typical NE EDGE player.<\/p>\n

Jaelen Phillips ($17.5M)<\/strong> – \u00a0he had 44 pressures in the last 9 games while playing for the Eagles after the trade from Miami.\u00a0 For the season, he only had 4 sacks, which will hold him down a bit, but those pressures are impressive.\u00a0 He also an 80.9 PFF grade with 31 run stops.<\/p>\n

Tight End <\/strong><\/h3>\n

Cade Otton ($8M) \u2013 <\/strong>At what price do you sign a backup TE?\u00a0 Otton is 26 years old.\u00a0 Austin Hooper\u2019s one -year deal was for $7M.<\/p>\n

Chigoziem Okonkwu ($8M) <\/strong>\u2013 Mike Vrabel knows him well since he drafted him for Tennessee.\u00a0 At 6\u20193\u201d, 238-pounds he is not much of a blocker<\/p>\n

Charlie Kolar ($1.6M)<\/strong> \u2013 I believe he is more than just a blocking TE.\u00a0 He had just 15 targets last season as the #3 TE. He caught 10 passes for 142 yards, 1.2 YPC, and 2 TDs.\u00a0 I think Kolar is the much better option here and would take a #2 TE in the Draft.<\/p>\n

Running back<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Rachaad White ($3M) <\/strong>\u2013 The Patriots need a 3rd<\/sup> back, and White is a veteran.\u00a0 A solid #2 back with pass-catching skills.\u00a0 27-years-old and a 4-year veteran.<\/p>\n

Michael Carter ($3M)<\/strong> \u2013 27-year-old entering 5th<\/sup> season.<\/p>\n

Brian Robinson ($3M)<\/strong> \u2013 Check, 27 years old, 4-year veteran.<\/p>\n

Fullback <\/strong><\/h3>\n

Patrick Ricard (???) \u2013 <\/strong>\u00a0The 6-time Pro Bowl selection will be 32 in season.\u00a0 You can\u2019t argue with his production.<\/p>\n

Alec Ingold (???) <\/strong>was just released for salary cap reasons by Miami.\u00a0 The 30-year-old has 7 seasons in the NFL.<\/p>\n

Offensive Tackle <\/strong><\/h3>\n

Thayer Munford ($1.6M) <\/strong>–\u00a0 The Patriots chose to keep him active over rookie Marcus Bryant because of his experience and the ability to play both Tackle spots.\u00a0 He is a cheap backup.<\/p>\n

Jedrick Wills (Vet Minimum)<\/strong> \u00a0– The former 1st<\/sup> round pick # 10 selection in 2020 missed 13 games over 2023 and 2024 and then sat out all of 2025.\u00a0 Just 27, he has the size and quickness but does he have the desire and is he over his injuries.\u00a0 A \u201clow cost\u201d show me contract might be the answer.<\/p>\n

Defensive Tackle <\/strong><\/h3>\n

Khyiris Tonga ($3M)<\/strong> \u2013 A fan favorite, Tonga took a chance on himself and had a spectacular year.\u00a0 He was the biggest surprise on the roster last season.\u00a0 The fact that he played some Fullback surprised everyone.\u00a0 \u00a0It was thought he was close to signing an extension near the end of the season. What happened?\u00a0 Could the Patriots<\/p>\n

David Onyemata ($8.5M)<\/strong> \u2013 He is the best value on the market.\u00a0 The Patriots will cut Christian Barmore if he loses his court case, which I expect he will.\u00a0 If they sign Onyemata, that would be a indication that Barmore is not long for the Patriots, and a hedge against losing Tonga.<\/p>\n

Linebacker <\/strong><\/h3>\n

Jack Gibbens (RFA) <\/strong>\u2013 We are unaware of what level the Patriots have tendered Gibbens, but I am confident the Patriots will retain his services.<\/p>\n

Matt Milano ($4.6M)<\/strong> \u2013 He is a player I have always liked.\u00a0 I would be surprised if he leaves Buffalo.\u00a0 In 2026 he will turn 31.\u00a0 All he does is make plays and that\u2019s what you want from a Inside Linebacker.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Leo Chanal ($4.6M) <\/strong>\u2013 The Wisconsin grad is a dark horse after completing his 4th<\/sup> year in the league.\u00a0 He will be 26 in 2026.<\/p>\n

Safety<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Jaylinn Hawkins ($8.3M)<\/strong> \u2013 If the Patriots offer close to this, he should be re-signed.\u00a0 The Patriots want him back, and as Eliot Wolf stated, Hawkins deserves to test the market in Free Agency.\u00a0 The market for Hawkins doesn\u2019t seem very strong, and with a strong Safety class in the Draft, that has further diminished his market.<\/p>\n

Kevin Byard ($7.8M)<\/strong> – \u00a0\u00a0The drawback with Byard is that he will be 33 during the season.\u00a0 A 1-year contract in this range could reunite Byard and Mike Vrabel while a draft pick is groomed to replace him in 2027.<\/p>\n

Cornerback <\/strong><\/h3>\n

Kader Kohou ($2M)<\/strong> \u2013 Kohou missed all of 2025 for Miami.\u00a0 A 1-year show-me contract would add depth at the position for the Patriots.<\/p>\n

Comings and Goings<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Charles London <\/strong>a former member of Mike Vrabel\u2019s staff in Tennessee will be joining the Patriots in an unidentified position.\u00a0 \u00a0Last season, he was the QB coach for the NY Jets.<\/p>\n

Jeremy Springer<\/strong> has signed a two-year extension to remain as the Patriots Special Teams coach.\u00a0 \u00a0Springer is reportedly dating WBZ Sports Anchor Steve Burton\u2019s daughter, Kayla, a reporter for NBC Sports Boston.\u00a0 She is also the granddaughter of the 1st ever Patriots Draft pick, Ron Burton.<\/p>\n

The Patriots have non-tendered RFA DT Isaiah Iton<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Patriots have announced they have re-signed QB Tommy DeVito<\/strong>.\u00a0 \u201cTommy Cutlets\u201d was claimed off waivers at the Cut Down day and served as the Emergency 3rd<\/sup> QB.\u00a0 Hopefully he will get a true opportunity to challenge Josh Dobbs for the #2 QB.<\/p>\n

The Patriots also signed LB Jesse Luketa<\/strong> from Arizona.\u00a0 The 6\u20193\u201d 260-pound backer has played in 31 games with 3 starts, 31 tackles, 3 sacks, and 1 FF.\u00a0 He is very slow with a 4.89 40-time and I believe he will be nothing but camp fodder.<\/p>\n

Garrett Bradbury<\/strong> was traded to the Chicago Bears for a 2027 5th-round selection.\u00a0 \u00a0The Patriots picked up Bradbury after he was released by Minnesota last year, after the Vikings tried to trade him coming off a bad year.\u00a0 Bradbury had a good year and cleaned up his pass-blocking to the point that the Patriots were able to get a 5th-round\u00a0pick for him.\u00a0 This opens the position for Jared Wilson to move to Center and compete with Ben Brown as the starter.<\/p>\n

Tom Brady Influential in Maxx Crosby Deal <\/strong><\/h3>\n

Reports have surfaced that Tom Brady nixed any discussion about Maxx Crosby going to the Patriots.\u00a0 The reasoning is that he didn\u2019t want to give Mike Vrabel the premier pass rusher.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Patriots navigate NFL legal tampering, assessing cap space, critical needs at OL & WR, and top free agent targets for the 2026 Patriots football team.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":23,"featured_media":65555,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[24403,23269,24408,23466,24406,23446,802,23714,24407,23806,24404,23698,24402,23067,664,44,1967,24405,23931,33,22959,1865,13,23382,24043],"class_list":["post-66018","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-patriots-news","tag-alex-pierce","tag-christian-gonzalez","tag-defensive-edge","tag-drake-maye","tag-dremont-jones","tag-eliot-wolf","tag-free-agency","tag-garrett-bradbury","tag-jaelen-phillips","tag-jaylinn-hawkins","tag-joel-bitonio","tag-klavon-chaisson","tag-legal-tampering","tag-maxx-crosby","tag-mike-vrabel","tag-new-england-patriots","tag-nfl-draft","tag-odafe-oweh","tag-offensive-line","tag-robert-kraft","tag-romeo-doubs","tag-stefon-diggs","tag-tom-brady","tag-tommy-devito","tag-wide-receiver"],"yoast_head":"\nMORSE: NFL Legal Tampering Starts Today<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The Patriots navigate NFL legal tampering, assessing cap space, critical needs at OL & WR, and top free agent targets for the 2026 Patriots football team.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/2026\/03\/09\/morse-nfl-legal-tampering-starts-today\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"MORSE: NFL Legal Tampering Starts Today | PatsFans.com\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The Patriots navigate NFL legal tampering, assessing cap space, critical needs at OL & WR, and top free agent targets for the 2026 Patriots football team.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" 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