DeVante Parker, Eagles Agree to 1-Year $4.7M Contract in NFL FA After Patriots Stint
March 12, 2024
DeVante Parker has found a new home.
The former New England Patriots wide receiver is signing a fully guaranteed one-year, $4.69 million deal with the Philadelphia Eagles in free agency, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Philadelphia will pay $1.2 million of Parker's contract and New England will pay the rest after releasing him earlier this week, Schefter added.
"DeVante is thrilled and grateful to become a Philadelphia Eagle and to help this elite organization win a championship," Parker's agent Jimmy Gould said, per Schefter.
The Patriots released Parker on Monday after signing him to a new three-year deal worth up to $33 million last summer.
Parker spent the last two seasons of his career in New England following a successful seven-year stint with the Miami Dolphins.
However, he was unable to replicate his early career success during his tenure with the Patriots, though that might not be entirely his fault as the franchise has been in disarray since Tom Brady's departure in 2020.
During the 2022 campaign, Parker caught 31 passes for 539 yards and three touchdowns in 13 games. Jakobi Meyers was New England's leading receiver that year with 804 yards and six touchdowns.
Parker followed that up in 2023 with 33 catches for 394 yards and no touchdowns in 13 games. Rookie Demario Douglas led the Patriots with 561 yards and tight end Hunter Henry led the team with six touchdowns.
The Patriots went a combined 12-22 across Parker's two seasons with the team. His departure leaves the franchise with Douglas, Henry, JuJu Smith-Schuster and Kendrick Bourne as New England's top pass-catchers entering 2024.
As for the Eagles, Parker joins an offense that is highlighted by pass-catchers in A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith and Dallas Goedert. Philadelphia also signed star running back Saquon Barkley to a three-year, $37.75 million deal earlier this week.
It's unclear how Parker will fit into the offense next season, though it's no surprise the Eagles are giving him a chance after landing him for a bargain.