"One of the biggest signings of the 2021 spending spree by Bill Belichick was tight end Jonnu Smith, who seemed doomed from the start after the head coach also signed longtime favorite Hunter Henry. Their careers in Foxboro couldn't have started or continued more differently, as Henry remains with the team as their top tight end target, and Smith was traded to the Falcons in 2023 after two forgettable seasons."
"He has since spent time with three teams, earning his first Pro Bowl nod with the Dolphins in 2024 when he put together the best season of his career, logging 88 receptions for 884 yards and eight touchdowns. He couldn't replicate that same success with the Steelers in 2025, so Smith remains a free agent."
"Among the more questioned decisions at the start of the Vrabel era was his decision to move on from Kyle Dugger halfway through the 2025 season. Because he had become an integral part of their defense"
Several former Patriots players remain unsigned as free agency continues into its second wave. Tight end Jonnu Smith, signed by New England in 2021, struggled initially but later earned a Pro Bowl selection with Miami in 2024, recording 88 receptions for 884 yards and eight touchdowns. However, he failed to replicate that success with Pittsburgh in 2025 and remains available. Safety Kyle Dugger was surprisingly released by the Patriots midway through the 2025 season after becoming a defensive cornerstone. These players demonstrate that recent production and proven capability don't guarantee immediate signings, though they remain viable options for other NFL teams seeking to strengthen their rosters.
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