With the most available cap space in the NFL and a roster lacking talent, the New England Patriots should be very busy over the next few days. Their main focus is on finding wide receivers and offensive line help, but they won't stop there.
As much as fans like to focus on the offensive side of the ball, New England's defense also needs an influx of talent. Unfortunately, one defensive target is officially off the board.
Impending free agent linebacker Jamien Sherwood, whom the Patriots "liked," according to Mike Giardi of the Boston Sports Journal , signed a $45 million extension with the New York Jets on Sunday night.
A converted safety, Sherwood is an undersized linebacker coming off a breakout season in New York. After totaling 77 total tackles in his first three seasons, Sherwood finished with more than twice that (158) during the 2024 season. He had a league-high 98 solo tackles, two sacks, and three passes defended.
Sherwood doesn't fit every defense, but he was a perfect fit in head coach Mike Vrabel's defensive scheme. Vrabel's had success with other undersized linebackers, including Azeez Al-Shaair (6-2, 228 lbs), Rashaan Evans (6-2, 232 lbs), and Davis Long Jr. (5-11, 225 lbs).
Sherwood (6-2, 216) is even smaller, but he plays bigger than his size. He could have been a tone-setter for New England's rebuilt defense, but instead, he's back to the rival New York Jets.
