Even though the start of free agency week is still several days away, the New England Patriots have started their preparation. After two decisions on Wednesday, two more were made on Thursday: they signed outside linebacker Jesse Luketa to their roster and opted not to place a restricted free agent tender on offensive tackle Yasir Durant.
Let’s analyze what the two moves mean for the team.
ED Jesse Luketa: Signed to 90-man roster
Minor move: Even though improving their defensive edge is one of the Patriots’ biggest missions this offseason,
adding Luketa is unlikely to have a major impact on the team’s plans: he does not project as much more than a depth piece given his career so far. That said, his signing does add another layer of depth to a group now five players deep. Besides him, the team also has Harold Landry, Anfernee Jennings, Elijah Ponder and Bradyn Swinson under contract at the edge; 2025 sack leader K’Lavon Chaisson is headed for unrestricted free agency.
Special teams focus: Where Luketa could find an immediate role is the kicking game. An experienced special teamer, he was used on kickoff and punt return, kickoff and punt coverage, and the field goal/extra point blocking units during his time in Arizona. A similar usage in New England would not come as a surprise, especially in the unlikely scenario that restricted free agent Jack Gibbens does not return for the 2026 season.
Limited investment: Even though the full terms of the deal have yet to be made public, Luketa’s one-year contract with the Patriots is unlikely to leave a major dent in the Patriots’ resources. More realistically, he will not be paid significantly more than the veteran’s minimum for a player of his experience ($1.145 million).
No compensatory impact: Luketa ended the 2025 season on the Rams’ practice squad, but he was not retained via a futures contract after the team’s season came to an end. As a result, his signing will not have a negative impact on the Patriots’ compensatory draft picks formula for next year. Of course, if his contract indeed is as projected, it would only have marginally altered that formula in the first place.
OT Yasir Durant: Not tendered
Expected decision: Durant spent all of 2025 on the Patriots’ injured reserve list, but even before being sent there was projected a long-shot to make the team’s roster as a reserve offensive tackle. The Patriots opting against using the restricted free agency tender to keep him in the fold was therefore no surprise. Even the lowest tender worth around $3.52 million would not have been a proper representation of what he would have brought to the table this upcoming season.
Tackle turnover: With Durant not tendered and potentially headed out the door entirely once free agency starts next week, the Patriots’ offensive tackle depth remains at five deep. Starters Will Campbell and Morgan Moses are joined by Marcus Bryant, Sebastian Gutierrez and Lorenz Metz. Vederian Lowe and Thayer Munford Jr. are unrestricted free agents. The team also recently hosted former first-round draft pick Jedrick Wills.
Six tenders to go: Durant was one of eight Patriots restricted or exclusive rights free agents this offseason, and has now become the second RFA after cornerback Alex Austin to not receive a tender. This leaves three other RFAs (QB Tommy DeVito, DT Jaquelin Roy, LB Jack Gibbens) as well as a trio of ERFAs (RB Deneric Prince, FB Jack Westover, DT Isaiah Iton) left in limbo.
