Patriots Daily: Ex-Pats Find New Homes; Impressions From MNF

The New England Patriots made a transaction yesterday, filling one of their open practice squad spots. There were also two former Patriots who found new homes on Monday. One was listed on the NFL transactions report, while the other was reported on Monday night.

Jalen Reagor signed with the Los Angeles Chargers practice squad. Reagor was a productive returner for New England in 2023. The Patriots brought him back on a one-year deal in free agency, but he did not make the 53-man roster. Reagor joined the Patriots practice squad but appeared unhappy about his lack of opportunities. He was released last week.

The Patriots host the Chargers in Week 17, so Reagor could return to Gillette Stadium this season.

Jalen Mills was the other former Patriot to find a new home yesterday. He signed with the New York Jets practice squad. Mills enters his ninth season in the NFL. He spent the last three in New England. In 2023, Mills transitioned from cornerback to safety. He played in all 17 games for the Patriots, recording 45 tackles and a forced fumble. He signed with the New York Giants in free agency but failed to make the team.

Like Reagor, Patriots fans could see Mills again this season. New England hosts New York in Week 8.

GOD is the GREATEST.!

— Jalen Mills (@greengoblin) September 23, 2024

Monday Night Football

There were two Monday games in Week 3. The Buffalo Bills hosted the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Washington Commanders visited the Cincinnati Bengals.

Buffalo dominated Jacksonville, winning 47-10. Bills QB Josh Allen continues to look like an MVP favorite, amassing 307 yards of total offense and passing for four touchdowns. The Bills remain unbeaten, while the Jaguars fall to 0-3. This will not slow down rumors of Bill Belichick heading to Jacksonville.

Mac Jones made his Jaguars debut in the fourth quarter. He completed 5-of-8 passes for 22 yards. Jones’ first passing play resulted in a strip sack, on which he lost the fumble.

Javon Solomon strips the ball for the @BuffaloBills takeaway

📺: #JAXvsBUF on ESPN
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/lLT3sBFCpZ

— NFL (@NFL) September 24, 2024

In the other game, Washington prevailed 38-33 in Cincinnati. Commanders rookie QB Jayden Daniels was impressive. He finished with 293 yards of total offense, three touchdowns, and no turnovers. The win moves the Commanders to 2-1.

The Bengals fell to 0-3 with the loss. They are one of the surprise teams of the season, and not in a positive way. The combination of QB Joe Burrow (324 yards, 3 TD) and WR Ja’Marr Chase (118 yards, 2 TD) was impressive, but not enough to get Cincinnati in their first win. Former Patriot Trent Brown, the Bengals starting right tackle, had to be carted off the field with a serious looking knee injury.

Tough scene.#Bengals tackle Trent Brown is carted off the field with an apparent leg injury.

Big loss to the Cincinnati O-line. @WDTN pic.twitter.com/5v0KEgx8vp

— Joey DeBerardino (@JoeyDeBerardino) September 24, 2024

Also in Tuesday’s Patriots Daily:

Patriots Fact/Trivia of the Day

Cincinnati, Jacksonville, and Tennessee are all 0-3 to begin the season. Since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger, the Bengals are the franchise with the most 0-3 starts (14). The Dallas Cowboys have the fewest 0-3 starts (2).

The New England Patriots have started 0-3 on six occasions, most recently in 2000.

Post of the Day

Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin returned to Monday Night Football last night. His last MNF game almost cost him his life. This time, things went much better:

DAMAR HAMLIN PICKS OFF LAWRENCE.

📺: #JAXvsBUF on ESPN
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/cSxknIWzDB

— NFL (@NFL) September 24, 2024

More From Patriots Football Now

Meet the Newest New England Patriot: Jalen McKenzie – McKenzie signed with the Patriots practice squad on Monday. The offensive tackle played collegiately for USC. His pro experience has been in training camp and practice squads with Tennessee, Seattle, and Las Vegas. He now joins New England with a chance to make a positive impression.

Good News for the Patriots, the NFL Isn’t Off to a Great Start – New England is 1-2 and coming off a blowout loss to the New York Jets. But they shouldn’t throw in the towel this year. They have plenty of company in starting slow this season. There are 14 games left to turn this around.

Why Would New England Start Drake Maye Now? – Many Patriots fans want to see the rookie start for New England. But the Patriots have gotten exactly what they (should have) expected from Jacoby Brissett so far. What would make them change course at this point?

2025 NFL Draft Prospect Profile: DE James Pearce Jr., Tennessee – Offensive tackle, wide receiver, and pass-rusher are among the positions the Patriots will look to upgrade in 2025. Pearce can help with the latter. The Vols edge rusher is a force.

Pro Football Hall of Fame Nominees Include 21 Patriots – Ty Law and Richard Seymour are the only New England Patriots from the first version of the Dynasty (2001-2004) to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. They could get some company in 2025. There are 21 former Patriots on the list of Modern Era Pro Football Hall of Fame candidates for 2025.