Versatile Jalen Mills Reportedly Remaining With New England Patriots On Revised One-Year Deal

Jalen Mills’ release from the New England Patriots never officially reached the NFL transaction wire.

The veteran defensive back will be returning on a restructured agreement instead, and with potential plans to return to the safety position, Jordan Schultz of The Score first reported Wednesday.

Since arriving with the organization on a four-year, $24 million contract in March 2021, Mills had started all 26 of his appearances at cornerback. He recorded 78 tackles, 12 passes defended, two interceptions and one fumble recovery over that span despite missing the final six weeks of last season with a groin injury.

His revised one-year contract with the organization is worth up to $6.1 million, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Set to turn 29 in April, Mills previously stood with cap hits of $6.213 million and $6.625 million ahead, per OverTheCap.com. But ahead now is the chance to possibly cover ground that opened with the retirement of Patriots captain Devin McCourty after 13 campaigns and 229 combined starts between both spots.

It isn’t unfamiliar ground for Mills.

“I’m just going to let the coaches put me in the best position to help this football team win games,” he had said of New England’s multiple defense during his introductory video conference two springs ago. “I really don’t care where it is.”

A seventh-round draft choice in 2016, the LSU product played 236 snaps at free safety during his final year with the Philadelphia Eagles, as charted by Pro Football Focus. That year also included 329 snaps in the box in addition to his work as both as a slot and perimeter corner.

A Super Bowl LII champion, Mills’ NFL career has stretched 89 games with 75 starts. With range and length at 6-foot, 191 pounds, he’s totaled 361 tackles, 1.5 sacks, one forced fumble, seven interceptions and a 37-yard touchdown return.

Prior to the new league year opening, the Patriots re-signed unrestricted free agent Jonathan Jones and tendered restricted free agent Myles Bryant. The club’s current cornerback depth chart also includes Marcus Jones and Jack Jones, selections from the 2022 draft class at No. 85 overall and No. 121 overall, respectively. Shaun Wade, Quandre Mosely and Rodney Randle round the position out behind the pair of rookie contributors.

The depth remains intact at safety, as well, aside from the 35-year-old McCourty in centerfield. Kyle Dugger and Adrian Phillips sit at the top of it while New England also retained Jabrill Peppers’ versatility in free agency.

Releasing Mills would have cleared close to $5 million in cap space for the Patriots. But he now adds a layer to the roster without ever leaving it.