Wide receiver Devante Parker signed a three-year deal with the New England Patriots Wednesday, extending his stay with head coach Bill Belichick as he attempts to rebuild his dynasty. Parker’s contract could be worth as much as $33 million and will include $14 million in guarantees and per-game bonuses.
Parker was entering the final year of his old deal with the Patriots this season, a four-year, $30.5 million contract originally negotiated by the Miami Dolphins in 2019. He could now be a Patriot for the foreseeable future as management attempts to revitalize the team’s stagnant offense.
Parker is not the only offensive piece New England is looking to sign, as several reports suggest that the team is pursuing free-agent wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who was recently released by the Arizona Cardinals. Instead of a conflicting signing, Parker’s new deal could actually be an attempt to sway Hopkins further by adding support around him on offense. These signings are expected to help quarterback Mac Jones, who had a dreadful sophomore campaign after a promising rookie season.
Before arriving in New England via trade in 2022, Parker played seven seasons for the Miami Dolphins, who drafted him out of Louisville with the 14th overall pick in 2015. Though he has never appeared in a Pro Bowl, he has proven to be a competent receiver over the course of his career. In his first season with the struggling Patriots, he caught 31 of 47 targets for 539 yards and three touchdowns.
If New England manages to secure Hopkins and pair him with Parker, it could be a massive upgrade for new offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien.
“I think the big thing for us right now is everybody is starting with a clean slate,” O’Brien said at his introductory press conference in April. “What you did in the past, whether it’s a player, coach, or anybody in the organization, it really has no bearing on what happens moving forward.”
