The New England Patriots came out of the gate swinging when free agency week began last Monday. Just an hour into the legal tampering period, the team signed one of the two best tight ends on the market, Jonnu Smith, to a four-year, $50 million contract. The Smith deal was a sign of things to come, and just the first big splash made by New England.
The team went on to invest more than $300 million in total contract value over the next six days. Twelve outside free agents were added after the opening of the legal tampering window and into the new league year, while seven in-house free agents were either re-signed or tendered.