Patriots' Big Money Free Agent Predicted to Tank

The New England Patriots were active in free agency. In the hope of bouncing back from a 4-13 record in 2024 and ending a streak of three losing seasons, the Patriots spent more in free agency than any other team, as well as replacing first-year head coach Jerod Mayo with former Titans’ head coach Mike Vrabel.

Defense was a point of emphasis for the front office, signing Milton Williams, Carlton Davis III, Harold Landry III, and Robert Spillane all to sizable deals. In some way or another, all four have had recent or past success, and the Patriots will hope that they can contribute to a defense that needs a lift in 2025.

However, that may not be the case. According to Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report, there’s one Patriots defender who could prove to be a bust in 2025, and it’s edge rusher Harold Landry.

Landry signed a three-year $43.5 million deal with the Patriots in free agency after spending the first six years of his career with the Titans. In those six years, he racked up 50.5 sacks, 102 quarterback hits, and 70 tackles for loss, but Knox worries the bust potential is real.

“The bust potential of pass-rusher Harold Landry III lies in the financials. The New England Patriots gave the 29-year-old a three-year, $43.5 million contract in free agency. That's a substantial sum for an edge-defender who is probably second-tier at best.” Knox writes.

Landry missed the 2022 season with a torn ACL after a career-high 12 sacks in 2021. Since then, Landry has 19.5 sacks and 29 tackles for loss, but hasn’t hit the heights of his Pro Bowl season in 2021.

“Landry has only reached double-digit sacks twice in his career. While he recorded nine quarterback takedowns last season, he also logged a modest 18 quarterback pressures.” Knox added.

Landry indeed struggled to consistently get to the quarterback in 2024, even if he did register nine sacks. The lack of consistent pressure means that Landry will struggle to continue posting a high pressure-to-sack rate, even if a reunion with former head coach Vrabel could give him a new lease of life. For now, though, not everyone thinks the move will work out.