Terrance Knighton to Patriots: Latest Contract Details, Comments and Reaction

Washington signed defensive tackle Terrance Knighton before the 2015 campaign and proceeded to reach the postseason. The New England Patriots probably hope that formula works again in 2016 considering the team inked Knighton to a deal on March 31, per the Boston Herald's Jeff Howe. 

Knighton took to Twitter to announce the news just prior to Howe's confirmation:

Adam Schefter of ESPN reported that the deal is for one year and $4.5 million. The Patriots confirmed the deal on Monday.

Ben Volin of the Boston Globe added Wednesday that Knighton has $300,000 in weight incentives as well.

This signing doesn’t come as a shock after NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported on Monday that Knighton was visiting the Patriots.

While Knighton will likely slide right into New England’s defensive line rotation, he previously suggested he wanted to return to the defending NFC East champions this offseason, per ESPN.com's John Keim:

"

Every time I thought I was coming back I didn’t when I’d think I was leaving I didn't. Hopefully it will all work itself out. I had the opportunity to play with my best friend [Chris Baker] and being a part of something they wanted to change around. It was a great opportunity. Hopefully it will be the same this time around.

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However, he won’t get the chance to play alongside Chris Baker in Washington in 2016, but he did enough to earn the Patriots’ attention. Considering they have been in the postseason in each of the past seven seasons, and 12 of the last 13, Knighton will likely play for a contender again this year.

He entered the league in 2009 when the Jacksonville Jaguars selected him in the third round, and he played there through 2012. He then joined the Denver Broncos for the 2013 and 2014 campaigns before he signed with Washington for one year and $4 million last offseason.

He played 15 games for Washington and racked up 29 combined tackles and 1.5 sacks. He has 14 sacks in his career, four of which came in 2010 for the Jaguars, but he is more of a force against the run with his ability to occupy multiple blockers at 6’3” and 354 pounds.

His strength and explosiveness at that size make it nearly impossible for one man to block him when he is playing at his best, which wreaks havoc on a rushing attack attempting to exploit holes in the middle. 

Denver Broncos star DeMarcus Ware offered his support following the 2014 campaign when Knighton was still available:

Keim put Pot Roast’s impact for Washington into statistical perspective before Thursday's signing:

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The Redskins allowed 4.83 yards per carry on the ground. With Knighton in the game they allowed 4.23 yards per carry -- and 4.03 yards per run in the last eight games, according to ESPN Stats & Information. In five of those games the Redskins allowed less than 3.0 yards per carry with Knighton on the field.

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Knighton isn’t only a force against the run. He is also a durable option in any defensive line rotation and failed to play a full 16 games for only the second time in his seven-year career in 2015 (he appeared in 13 games in 2011). That type of consistency and reliability is critical in an injury-riddled league.

While Knighton is consistently on the field, he has dealt with cluster headaches at times in his career and actually missed one game in 2015. He discussed the debilitating nature of the headaches, per Keim.

“On a scale of one to 10, the pain is a 50. If people research it, they see it’s probably the worst pain you can get. There are times I’ll get these attacks and I’ll be home, curled up in a fetal position and hoping it goes away.”

However, Knighton also pointed out he is far from done on the football field, per Keim. “The football will handle itself. I have a lot of football left in me. ... Hopefully someone else still needs a run-stopper.”

There is always room for a run-stopper in the NFL, especially one who has been a constant force on the field and will only be 30 years old during the 2016 campaign. Knighton likely still has multiple years of prime production remaining, especially since he proved himself in a solid season for Washington in 2015.

The hope now for New England is he continues his effectiveness against the run and bolsters a defense that was an impressive ninth in rushing yards allowed per game last year. If he does that, he will be well worth the money and new contract.