Patriots Rumors: Marquis Flowers to Sign 1-Year, $2.55M Contract

The New England Patriots are set to re-sign free-agent outside linebacker Marquis Flowers to a one-year contract worth a maximum of $2.55 million.

Sean Stellato of the SES agency confirmed details of the deal Thursday to Adam Schefter of ESPN.

The Pats originally acquired Flowers from the Cincinnati Bengals, who selected him in the sixth round of the 2014 NFL draft, in a trade last August.

He racked up 32 combined tackles, 3.5 sacks and a forced fumble across 16 appearances, including two starts, during his first season with New England. Pro Football Focus graded him as the league's No. 54 overall linebacker.

Flowers downplayed the lackluster PFF mark after the season:

In January, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick praised the linebacker's improvement during the course of the 2017 season, per Mark Daniels of the Providence Journal.

"Marquis has done a nice job for us," Belichick said. "As he's gained more experience and confidence in our system, we've been able to do more with him. He's been very productive for us."

Flowers' role should remain pretty much the same in 2018. He'll serve as a reserve at linebacker behind Kyle Van Noy and Dont'a Hightower while also playing on special teams.