Patriots continue to boost secondary with veteran safety signing

The New England Patriots signed veteran safety Marcus Epps to a one-year, $4.4 million deal on Friday, according to a report from NFL insider Tom Pelissero.

Epps recorded 17 tackles in three games last season for the Las Vegas Raiders. His 2024 campaign was cut short due to a torn ACL injury that he suffered in Week 3.

Like many of the Patriots' other free agent signings, there's some familiarity with this one as well considering Epps played under offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels when he was the Raiders coach in 2023.

Epps is a true free safety with 45 career starts under his belt. At the very least, he'll serve in a rotational role in packages behind Kyle Dugger and Jabrill Peppers.

Veteran safety Marcus Epps signed with the #Patriots on a one-year deal worth up to $4.4 million, per source.

Epps has 45 career starts. Coming off a torn ACL, he’s expected to be cleared well before training camp. pic.twitter.com/kq6kIY8vgf— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 14, 2025

It’s clear that the Patriots wanted to focus their efforts on the defensive side of the ball in free agency.

They have loaded up at the position at every level with their biggest signings being defensive tackle Milton Williams, edge rusher Harold Landry III, linebacker Robert Spillane and cornerback Carlton Davis.

Epps will now look to work his into the mix for a defensive unit that looks significantly better on paper than it did last season.

This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: 2025 free agency: Patriots boost secondary with veteran safety signing