Patriots reportedly signal injured linebacker Raekwon McMillan to an extension

Patriots

This marks the second time the Patriots have handed McMillan a brand new contract whereas he is on injured reserve.

The Patriots Raekwon McMillan (center) and some of his teammates mug it up for the Monday Night Football camera after he returned a third quarter Arizona fumble for a touchdown. The scoreboard behind them is showing the replay of the play and the score reflects the fact that New England had just taken a lead they would not lose. The New England Patriots visited the Arizona Cardinals for an NFL Monday Night Football game at State Farm Stadium.
Raekwon McMillan scored a landing off a fumble return through the 2022 season. Jim Davis/Globe Employees

Veteran linebacker Raekwon McMillan is not going to play a snap through the 2023 NFL season.

However regardless that the 27-year-old is anticipated to be on the shelf all 12 months as a result of harm, Invoice Belichick and the Patriots clearly wish to preserve him round.

According to ESPN’s Field Yates, the Patriots signed McMillan to a one-year extension by way of the 2024 season value as much as $2.245 million.

This marks the second time that the Patriots have handed out a contract extension to the linebacker whereas he was on injured reserve.

The previous Dolphin and Raider established himself as a gentle contributor final season in New England, showing in 16 video games and recording 35 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, and posting a landing in opposition to the Cardinals off of a fumble return.

McMillian carved out a job as a sub linebacker who posted sturdy returns in go protection in 2022.

Professional Soccer Focus credited 146 of the 250 defensive snaps McMillan performed as protection snaps. After permitting 4 receptions on 4 targets in Week 1 in opposition to Miami, McMillan gave up 12 receptions on 17 targets for simply 99 yards the remainder of the season. He additionally logged heavy reps on particular groups.

McMillan was anticipated to take a bigger position on New England’s linebacker corps in 2023, however went down with a season-ending harm throughout OTAs. According to Jeff Howe of The Athletic, McMillan suffered a partial tear of his Achilles. 

McMillan clearly has made fairly the impression in New England.

After signing in free company with New England in 2021, McMillan impressed all through coaching camp and appeared poised for a featured position on protection. However through the first week of August, McMillan suffered a torn ACL that ended his first season with the Patriots earlier than it may really get off the bottom.

Even with that extreme harm, the Patriots nonetheless rewarded him with a one-year contract lower than two months after he was sidelined.

McMillan has had some poor luck with it involves the harm bug through the years. Alongside together with his torn Achilles this season and a torn ACL in 2021, McMillan missed the complete 2017 season with Miami as a result of one other torn ACL. He additionally landed on season-ending IR in 2019 as a result of a hamstring harm.

Regardless of his struggles with staying on the sphere, the Patriots clearly view McMillan as a defensive cog value retaining past this season.