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New England Patriots’ Minor Contract Extensions Open Doors To Bigger FA Signings

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By @calling_allfans

Patrick Chung

Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

The New England Patriots have an important Divisional Round game this weekend, but Bill Belichick and the front office have made some key roster moves this week: They have given extensions to safety Patrick Chung and RB Brandon Bolden. Reportedly, Chung was signed to a three-year extension with $3.4 million guaranteed and has a $2.4 million signing bonus, with $4.2 million in base salary from 2015-17 along with incentives and per-game roster bonuses.

Chung, who was drafted by the Patriots in the second round of the 2009 NFL draft, played his first four seasons in New England. He then spent the 2013 season with the Philadelphia Eagles, but he did not produce and ended up getting cut. He was back in a Patriots uniform for the 2014 season and has played well this season, accumulating 85 tackles, defending seven passes and grabbing an interception.

While he may not be the best safety in the NFL, he can certainly play the position, and Pro Football Focus ranks Chung as their No. 12 overall Safety.

Bolden was signed to a two-year deal worth up to $2.3 million, with a $300,000.00 signing bonus. He became a member of the Patriots in 2012, and has rushed for 634 yards on 139 touches in the last three seasons, adding six rushing touchdowns. While he may not be the best RB on the roster, he has performed well and is also a core member of the Patriots’ special teams units.

Bolden has recorded 12 tackles while playing on special teams for New England. Locking him up allows the Patriots to add some depth to their backfield, particularly with Shane Vereen and Stevan Ridley both set to become free agents at the end of the season.

While neither Chung nor Bolden are the best at their respective positions, both are talented and neither extension is costing the Patriots more money than either player is worth. Locking up both Chung and Bolden also allows the Patriots to work on getting deals done with other prospective free agents, such as Darrelle Revis, Stephen Gostkowski and Devin McCourty.

Some fans may direct unwarranted criticism towards the Patriots, but more often than not, Belichick and company make the right moves — although Tom Brady would probably love a marquee wide receiver who can stretch the field.

Justin Patrick is a New England Patriots writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @calling_allfans, like him on Facebook and add him to your network on Google. You can also email him at [email protected]

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