Patriots reportedly signal injured linebacker Raekwon McMillan to an extension

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

However though the 27-year-old is anticipated to be on the shelf all 12 months as a consequence of damage, Invoice Belichick and the Patriots clearly wish to maintain him round.

According to ESPN’s Field Yates, the Patriots signed McMillan to a one-year extension by means of the 2024 season price 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 towards the Cardinals off of a fumble return.

McMillian carved out a job as a sub linebacker who posted robust returns in move 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 towards 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 function on New England’s linebacker corps in 2023, however went down with a season-ending damage 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 function on protection. However in the course of the first week of August, McMillan suffered a torn ACL that ended his first season with the Patriots earlier than it might really get off the bottom.

Even with that extreme damage, 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 damage bug through the years. Alongside together with his torn Achilles this season and a torn ACL in 2021, McMillan missed the whole 2017 season with Miami as a consequence of one other torn ACL. He additionally landed on season-ending IR in 2019 as a consequence of a hamstring damage.

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