he New England Patriots are set to land their first quality free agent of the 2021 offseason.T
Tight end Jonnu Smith has agreed to a four-year, $50 million agreement with the Patriots that includes $31.25 million in ensured cash, Smith’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, disclosed to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Smith officially can sign with New England when free organization starts Wednesday evening.
The 25-year-old posted career getting numbers with the Titans last season, catching 41 passes for 441 yards and eight scores. Smith started as a reinforcement to Delanie Smith in Tennessee however positioned third in the group in targets last season behind just AJ Brown and Corey Davis.
Smith promptly becomes the No. 1 tight end in a Patriots offense severely lacking depth at the position. Ryan Izzo (13 gets for 199 yards) is the lone returning tight end who counted in any event three gets in 2020, as newbies Dalton Keene and Devin Asiasi were practically invisible.
That may clarify why the Patriots are paying Smith $12.5 million every year, which presently makes him New England’s second-most generously compensated player behind cornerback Stephon Gilmore.