(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

The Patriots have signed free agent linebacker Sione Takitaki to a two year, $6.5 million dollar contract. The contract has a maximum value of $10 million dollars. 

The Cleveland Browns selected Takitaki in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft out of BYU. Takitaki adds depth after the Patriots lost linebacker Mack Wilson in free agency on Monday. He could also potentially replace Chris Board on special teams. The Patriots released Board on Monday after one season. 

Takitaki has started the past two seasons with the Browns. In his time in Cleveland, he has racked up 268 career tackles, 4 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery, 4 pass deflections, 2 interceptions and 1 defensive score.

Takitaki has made some memorable plays for the Browns. The aforementioned pick six was against Carson Wentz and the Eagles in 22-17 win in Week 11 of the 2020 season. Later that season, Takitaki had a game clinching interception of Ben Roethlisberger in the Browns 48-37 wild card playoff win over the Steelers. 

Takitaki did suffer a torn ACL in Week 13 of the 2022 season but bounced back last season and was solid. 

He is the first player signed by Patriots defacto general manager Eliot Wolf that was drafted by the Browns when he was a member of the front office in Cleveland.  

He won’t be the last. Expect more connection based signings in free agency. Familiarity with players is big for general managers.