Linebacker Jonathan Freeny joined the Patriots last season and posted 50 tackles and a sack in 13 games that appear to have impressed the team enough to want Freeny around a while longer.
According to multiple reports, Freeny has agreed to a two-year extension with the Patriots that will keep him under contract in New England through the 2018 season. No financial terms have been reported.
Coach Bill Belichick didn’t confirm the extension when he met with the media on Saturday, but he did explain why the Patriots would like to keep Freeny in the fold.
“Jonathan is a very dependable player; he is able to do a lot of different roles for us,” Belichick said in comments distributed by the team. “He can play inside and outside on the line of scrimmage and off the ball defensively. He’s been very valuable for us in the kicking game, obviously with some size. A four-phase special teams player and one of our overall top workers in terms of the offseason program, preparation, training; he always does things right. He works hard, doesn’t say a lot, but is very dependable and consistent. I think all of the other players -- everybody in the organization looks up to him.”
Freeny started seven games filling in for injured players last year and should remain in a backup role while playing a lot of special teams with the Patriots in 2016.