Danny Shelton has come a long way since this time last year. The New England Patriots had virtually no market in free agency, and found himself returning to the team which benched him during the 2018 season. He signed a one-year, prove-it deal, which landed him back in free agency this offseason. And the gamble paid off.
As Bill Belichick explained this season, Shelton took a major step forward in his on-field contributions in a new scheme in New England. He was well-suited for the Patriots’ front, and got more play time, which yielded more production (61 tackles, 3 sacks). He is set up nicely for 2020 free agency.
“Danny‘s done a good job for us. His second year, I think he came in, he was in good shape, he came in with a great attitude,” Belichick said in October. “He’s really worked hard to do the things that we’ve asked him to do, which is a little different than what he’d done in the systems that he’d been in in Cleveland. He tried to do that last year, I’d say this year he’s just further ahead on it. Build on the experiences that he had last year, and has given us a really good level of play inside.
“His role has actually expanded from what it was last year because he’s been able to do more things, and he’s doing the things that we’ve asked him to do at a good level. So, he’s been productive and versatile. He’s done a good job for us.”
Shelton did such a good job in New England that he’s likely to head elsewhere in 2020. He signed with a new agent, Drew Rosenhaus, who is likely to help Shelton develop a better market and a bigger contract. That might lead the Patriots to let Shelton walk in free agency.
— Drew Rosenhaus (@RosenhausSports) February 20, 2020
Surely, he could help the Patriots next season, regardless of what scheme they use. But he’s likely to chase financial security with a multi-year deal. He may have to look beyond New England to get it.
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