Patriots’ free-agency spending record toppled after just one offseason

The New England Patriots no longer hold the frivolous title for guaranteed money spent in a single offseason. Bill Belichick set a new high in 2021 when he brought in a massive haul of talent through free agency, with the Patriots offering $163 million in guaranteed money to their incoming free agents. It’s a bit of an ignominious title, with free agency spending proving somewhat disconnected with on-field success.

Lucky for Belichick and the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Patriots didn’t hold the title for long. The Jags spent $175.3 million in guaranteed money on free agents during the 2022 offseason. That’s a new record.

The Jaguars’ class of free agents includes receivers Christian Kirk and DJ Chark, guard Brandon Scherff, linebackers Foyesade Oluokun and Myles Jack, cornerback Darious Williams, defensive tackle Foley Fotukasi and tight end Evan Engram, among many others.

In 2021, New England added tight ends Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith, receiver Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne, edge defender Matt Judon, cornerback Jalen Mills and Davon Godchaux, among others. That group has produced mixed results in the way of production.

Either way, it seems like the Patriots’ spending is behind them. Owner Robert Kraft suggested he hopes the team goes back to building through the draft.

“I look forward to hopefully having a great draft this year,” Kraft said this week. “That’s the only way you can build your team for long-term and consistently, that you can have a chance of winning — is having a good draft.”

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