FRIDAY, 12:50pm: Chung gets a one-year deal with a base salary of $740K, a $60K signing bonus, a $60K workout bonus, and $240K in per-game roster bonuses, tweets Mike Reiss of ESPNBoston.com.
THURSDAY, 12:54pm: The Patriots have officially signed Chung, the team announced today in a press release.
12:30pm: Following the Eagles’ release of Patrick Chung, the Patriots will bring the veteran safety back to New England, according to Tom E. Curran of CSNNE.com. Curran tweets that Chung is re-signing with the Pats.
Chung, who was drafted 34th overall by the Patriots in 2009, spent four seasons in New England and started 30 games for the team, but never developed into the kind of impact player the Pats likely envisioned. The 26-year-old regressed further during his lone season in Philadelphia, placing 71st among 86 qualified safeties according to Pro Football Focus’ metrics (subscription required), and failing to grab an interception for the first time in his career. That prompted his release, which came on the first day of free agency last month.
Returning to the Patriots for his second stint with the team, Chung figures to start out in a reserve role, though he’ll likely be given the opportunity to compete for playing time this summer.
I always likes Chung. He never lived up to his potential but he works hard.