Flanked by teammates Marcus Jones and Brenden Schooler, Harold Landry took the field as one of the New England Patriots’ captains last week against the Minnesota Vikings. While preseason captaincy is not necessarily a preview of full-time honors awaiting come the regular season, Landry ending up wearing the “C” patch on his jersey this year would not be a surprise either.
The free agency pickup, after all, has quickly proven himself a key cog in New England’s defensive machinery. While Keion White
and K’Lavon Chaisson have started alternating starter reps opposite him, he has been a mainstay at one of the edge spots as well as a regular around the quarterback as a pass rusher.
For Landry, the owner of 84 career starts and a combined 55 regular season and playoff sacks, none of that is anything new. And yet, he is not the same player that he was during his seven seasons with the Tennessee Titans.
“He looks like a guy that’s got something to prove, and that’s what I like about Harold,” Patriots defensive coordinator Terrell Williams told reporters ahead of Tuesday’s training camp practice.
“I’ve always loved him. We drafted him out of Boston College in 2018, and he had some great years for us in Tennessee. But right now, I see a more mature player that understands now in Year 8 what his role is and what he wants to be. I’m excited to have him here, because Harold understands what we want. He was with us for six years there in Tennessee, so he knows exactly what we’re looking for on defense.”
Williams and Landry both arrived in Tennessee in 2018; the former was hired to work with the defensive line under then-Titans head coach Mike Vrabel, the latter selected 41st overall in the second round of the draft. Over their six seasons together, they developed a strong and productive bond.
Two years after their split, the Patriots decided to reunite the pair. First, Vrabel brought Williams aboard to coordinate his defense. Then, the team gave Landry a three-year, $43.5 million deal after Tennessee decided to cut him.
That contract came with clear expectations. Landry was brought to Foxborough not only to continue to produce as an all-around starting outside linebacker, but also to simultaneously serve as a leader off the field — a player whose familiarity with both Vrabel and Williams would help set the tone on that side of the ball.
He is doing all of that and more five months into his Patriots tenure.
“I feel like he’s been a good player,” said Williams about Landry on Tuesday, “but he’s kind of elevating himself right now. That’s always great to see. And hopefully, the younger guys can kind of see the way he works in Year 8.”
