The Patriots have allowed plenty of veterans to leave via free agency this offseason, but they've also managed to hold on to a select few who should help provide leadership as the team transitions into a new era.
The latest veteran Bill Belichick decided to keep is Patrick Chung. According to ESPN.com, the Patriots and Chung agreed to a two-year contract extension, which includes a $3 million signing bonus and can be worth up to $12.8 million over the remaining four years of the deal.
The agreement comes after the Patriots re-signed fellow safety Devin McCourty to a two-year deal, giving Belichick experience and leadership along the back end of the defense. The team also brought back veteran special teams stalwart Matthew Slater, likely with a similar idea in mind as the team moves toward a younger roster.
With Tom Brady as well as a host of other veterans having moved on, Belichick is glad to have a few familiar faces to help the newcomers assimilate to life in the NFL and in Foxborough. Chung is certainly one of those trusted voices as he will remain alongside McCourty at safety with free agent newcomer Adrian Phillips likely slated to take the third spot previously occupied by Duron Harmon, who was dealt to Detroit earlier in the offseason.
The Patriots also drafted safety Kyle Dugger in the second round and he should be able to provide depth along the back line of the defense as well.
