FOXBORO — Jalen Mills had his career mapped out.
A seventh-round pick in 2016 by the Eagles, he proved to everyone that he was a capable starting cornerback during his second NFL season. That year, Mills started 15 games for Philadelphia. He finished with 14 passes defended to go with three interceptions. He started for a team that beat the Patriots in Super Bowl LII.
That season was supposed to launch Mills forward in his career and put him on an upward trajectory to the point that one day he would be the No.