The New England Patriots continued to make a splash in free agency on Friday with the reported signing of former Detroit Lions core special-teamer Chris Board, per ESPN’s Mike Reiss.
It’s a two-year deal worth upwards of $6.67 million. No, this isn’t news that’s going to excite the people still waiting for the Patriots to trade for or sign an elite receiver.
But this was a much-needed move to help bolster the team’s special teams unit. Board has been incredibly successful as a special-teamer, and he even elicited hefty praise from coach Bill Belichick last season. As Reiss notes, Belichick called him the “best special teams player New England would face.”
For a team that struggled on special teams throughout the 2022 season, this is a solid addition to the roster.
Another signing on the board for the Patriots: LB Chris Board, 2 years, maximum value of $6.7 million.
Here is Bill Belichick on Board (Lions) last season after calling him the best special teams player NE would face: pic.twitter.com/J4tPQa0KDN
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) March 17, 2023
Board spent the last season with the Lions after playing with the Baltimore Ravens in his previous four years. Now, he’ll have an opportunity to help turn things around for a Patriots team looking to bounce back in 2023.
