Barely a year after signing Davon Godchaux, the Patriots are extending their partnership with the veteran defensive tackle. New England and Godchaux agreed on a two-year, $20.8MM deal, per Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter).
A 2017 Dolphins fifth-round pick, Godchaux will see most of his new money guaranteed. The Pats are fully guaranteeing $17.85MM of this accord, per Schefter. Godchaux started 16 games for the Pats in 2021.
New England made a deal for the ex-Miami starter part of its 2021 free agency spending spree. Godchaux, 27, was previously attached to a two-year, $15MM pact. This raise and guarantee structure certainly illustrates the good relationship formed between Godchaux and the Pats’ coaching staff during his short time in New England.
The Dolphins used the 311-pound defender as a full-time starter from 2018-20 and had identified him as a player they wanted to keep. The Pats, as they did with a few players during their uncharacteristic signing binge, poached him with a midlevel offer. New England added Godchaux two days before Miami signed ex-New England D-tackle starter Adam Butler. Pro Football Focus placed Godchaux just outside the top 40 interior defensive linemen last season, one in which he played 59% of New England’s defensive snaps.
Godchaux and 2021 second-round pick Christian Barmore headline the Pats’ D-tackle corps. Both players are now signed through 2024. Despite Godchaux being known more for run-stopping abilities than sacks (just four through five seasons), this contract ranks in the top 15 among interior D-linemen. This extension should also clear up cap space for the Pats, who came into the day ranking last in the NFL with $2.7MM in available funds. Godchaux was to count $10.25MM toward the Pats’ 2022 cap.