The New England Patriots are expected to sign several CFL players in the coming days. This, after the signing window for CFL players who are free agents and want to play in the NFL opened on Tuesday. In December, the Patriots worked out three CFL players – defensive backs Chandler Fenner, Jonathon Mincy and Kacy Rogers II – but they did not join the team due to CFL regulations barring them from doing so. According to Bernd Buchmasser of Pats Pulpit, the Patriots are expected to add at least one of the three defenders to their 90-man offseason roster.
Last season, Fenner suited up for the B.C. Lions while Mincy and Rogers II played for the Montreal Alouettes and Saskatchewan Roughriders, respectively. If ever, this is not to the first time that a CFL player will join the Patriots. In 2013, the Patriots signed former CFL standouts Armond Armstead and Jason Vega. Former Patriots Doug Flutie and Brandon Browner also played in the CFL before their respective careers in the NFL took off.
Patriots want to beef up defense
The Patriots want to beef up their defense after their 41-33 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LII. The Patriots are expected to lose several key players on defense to free agency. Among them are free safety Nate Ebner, linebacker James Harrison, defensive tackle Ricky Jean Francois, defensive end Geno Grissom, outside linebacker Marquis Flowers and cornerbacks Malcolm Butler and Johnson Bademosi.
Earlier, the Patriots were reported to be interested in Washington Redskins versatile defender Su’a Cravens, who recently applied for reinstatement from the Redskins’ reserve/left squad list. Cravens considered retirement last September due to a knee issue, pushing the Redskins to place him on the reserve/left squad list. Later, it was determined that Cravens also suffered a concussion, per his agent, Fadde Mikhail.
Now, Cravens is fully healthy and ready to resume his NFL career. The Patriots were interested in selecting Cravens in the 2016 NFL Draft, but they were beaten by the Redskins, who took him 53rd overall.
Assistant QB coach to stay
After Josh McDaniels decided to stay as offensive coordinator for the Patriots, another coach is expected to remain in New England.
According to Mike Reiss of ESPN, assistant quarterbacks coach Jerry Schuplinski will stay with the Patriots. Schuplinski and special teams coach Joe Judge were expected to join McDaniels with the Indianapolis Colts. However, McDaniels changed his mind and decided to stay as an assistant with Bill Belichick. Judge is also expected to remain with the Patriots.
