BOSTON — The New England Patriots and defensive back Jalen Mills have agreed to terms on a revised one-year deal four days after the team intended to release him, a source confirmed to the Boston Herald.
Mills’ new deal is a one-year pact worth up to $6.1 million. His expected release was reported last week, a move that reduced the Pats’ already questionable cornerback depth. However next season, Mills plans to play safety, per The Score.
Mills enjoyed one of the best seasons of his career playing safety with the Eagles in 2020, his last year before joining the Patriots. He posted a career-high 74 tackles, one interception, a forced fumble and 1.5 sacks. Upon signing Mills as a free agent in the spring of 2021, the Pats expected him to continue playing safety in training camp but moved him to corner, a position he played from 2016-2019, to offset the injury loss of top corner Stephon Gilmore.
Last season, Mills had 31 tackles, five pass deflections and two interceptions over 10 games. He missed every game after Thanksgiving last season due to a groin injury. Mills also dealt with a hurt hamstring earlier in the season, and his availability factored into the team’s decision to release him, according to a source.
JETS: The New York Jets and former Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman agreed to terms on a one-year deal, according to a person with knowledge of the contract.
The speedy and versatile Hardman gives the Jets and new offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett another playmaker on what could be a much-improved offense..
Hardman, 25, spent his first four seasons with the Chiefs after being a second-round draft pick out of Georgia in 2019. He has 151 catches for 2,088 yards and 16 touchdowns in his career and has rushed 20 times for 125 yards and two scores.
BROWNS: Adding another playmaker for quarterback Deshaun Watson, Cleveland acquired wide receiver Elijah Moore in a trade from the New York Jets, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press.
The Browns have agreed to send the No. 42 pick in this year’s draft to the Jets for Moore and the No. 74 selection, said the person who spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal has not been finalized.
Cleveland had been looking for a downfield threat for Watson, who came over last year in the controversial trade from Houston. Moore will be a nice complement to Amari Cooper and Donovan Peoples-Jones.
• Free-agent linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. is returning to the Browns after missing most of last season with an injury that rocked Cleveland’s defense, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.
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