The Patriots and Jabaal Sheard have reached agreement on a contract, according to Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post (on Twitter). It’s a two-year deal for Sheard worth $11MM in total. The pact includes a $4MM bonus with salaries of $1MM and $4MM. His roster bonuses will be worth $1MM in each year.
The Pats appear to be taking some of the money that they saved by allowing Darrelle Revis to walk and pushing it towards the team’s front seven. Sheard, who turns 26 in May, appeared in all 16 games for the Browns last season and made five starts. In that time, the edge defender racked up 44 straight tackles, three pass deflections, and 2 sacks. Until now, Sheard has spent all four years of his career in Cleveland.
Sheard will join Rob Ninkovich, Chandler Jones and the returning Sealver Siliga on the Patriots’ defensive line. He ranked 32nd on Luke Adams’ list of the top 50 free agents.