The New England Patriots have made headlines with a record-breaking commitment to an undrafted free agent, signaling their aggressive approach to building depth this offseason. Following the NFL Draft, where they selected nine players, the Patriots quickly moved to secure 12 undrafted rookies—and one running back is already making waves.
Myles Montgomery, a 23-year-old back out of UCF and Cincinnati, signed a three-year deal worth $272,500 in guaranteed money. That figure sets a new franchise record for an undrafted free agent, surpassing tight end C.J. Dippre's $264,000 mark from last season. What's more, cornerback Channing Canada also topped Dippre's total with $267,500 guaranteed, showing the Patriots are willing to invest heavily in unproven talent.
Montgomery's contract includes $247,500 in salary guarantees and a $25,000 signing bonus, suggesting the team had to fend off other suitors for his services. It's easy to see why. Over 41 college games with 10 starts, Montgomery rushed for 1,546 yards and 11 touchdowns on 274 carries. At 5-foot-10 and 205 pounds, he brings impressive athleticism to the table, earning an 8.91 Relative Athletic Score thanks to a 4.44-second 40-yard dash and a 10-foot-4-inch broad jump. He also served as a team captain for the Knights last season, highlighting his leadership qualities.
In New England, Montgomery will compete for a role on a running back depth chart led by Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson. The team also has Lan Larison, Terrell Jennings, and 2026 seventh-round pick Jam Miller in the mix, so nothing is guaranteed. But with this level of investment, the Patriots clearly see potential in their new back.
Overall, the Patriots' 12 undrafted rookie signings totaled $1.13 million in guarantees. Here's how the top deals break down, per Ben Volin of the Boston Globe:
RB Myles Montgomery: $272,500 ($247,500 salary + $25,000 signing bonus)
CB Channing Canada: $267,500 ($247,500 salary + $20,000 signing bonus)
WR Kyle Dixon: $252,500 ($235,000 salary + $17,500 signing bonus)
TE Tanner Arkin: $162,500 ($145,000 salary + $17,500 signing bonus)
OL Jake Rizy: $85,000 ($75,000 salary)