Brandon Spikes is headed back to where it all started. The free-agent linebacker and the New England Patriots agreed to a one-year contract Monday, bringing Spikes back to the place he spent his first four NFL seasons.
ESPN's Field Yates and Adam Schefter first reported the agreement. Spikes' agents later confirmed the news via their Twitter account.
Tom Pelissero of USA Today reported that Spikes' deal came with a $25,000 signing bonus, and is worth up to $2 million with incentives.
The Patriots hosted Spikes for a visit last week, making the reunion largely expected.
Spikes, 27, spent the 2014 season with the Buffalo Bills. He made 54 tackles and one sack, appearing in all 16 games while starting 10. The former Florida star struggled to find the same success he did in New England, where he'd compiled 178 tackles over the previous two years. A second-round pick in 2010, Spikes is an above-average run-stopper who executes head coach Bill Belichick's system well despite struggles in the passing game.
While Spikes has had his issues in pass coverage, he remains a tenacious run defender, and will likely slip right back into his old role with the Patriots. His familiarity with the system will certainly help when it comes to the reacclimation process, and the 6-foot-3, 250-pounder will also provide some depth for a linebacking corps that would be without Dont’a Hightower for a stretch this summer because of offseason shoulder surgery.
Of course, the Patriots and Spikes had to get over some bad blood to make this reunion possible. After signing in Buffalo last offseason, Spikes tweeted "four years a slave." He also expressed his excitement to go against his former team:
BrandonSpikes55 @brandonspikes55Great games on the schedule for 2014, but it's going to be like Christmas to hand the #Patriots #PatriotsNation a L...twice! #BILLSMAFIA
However, things grew progressively less acrimonious as time wore on, with Spikes opening the door for a return during an NFL Network appearance in March.
“It’s the Hoodie. It’s Bill Belichick. He’s a genius,” Spikes said, per the NFL Network (via Price). “He just plugs guys in and his system works. My time there, I just learned how to be a true professional. It’s a first-class organization. They drafted me and a lot of teams passed on me. They gave me the opportunity and I’ll always be forever grateful for that.”
It appears all are ready to move on, which should be a boost for both sides. Spikes' one-year stop in Buffalo likely showed him how much better he fit in Belichick's system than most others. The Patriots need insurance for Jerod Mayo, who has played only a combined 12 games over the last two seasons.
Even if the divorce got a bit ugly last time around, this feels like the right move.
