The first hours of free agency are over. Many players already have new contracts. Jakob Johnson doesn’t. Not yet.

Munich/Foxborough – The so-called Free Agency Frenzy is in full swing.

The days between the start of the negotiating period (March 14) and the official start of Free Agency (March 16) are not infrequently the most tumultuous.

J.C. Jackson (Los Angeles Chargers), Haason Reddick (Philadelphia Eagles), Alex Cappa (Cincinnati Bengals) – big names have already signed with new teams.

One name remains on the market: Jakob Johnson.

Johnson uncommitted as of March 16

It was announced as early as last week that the New England Patriots would not place the so-called tender on the German fullback, instead equipping wide receiver Jakobi Meyers with it.

Why not Johnson? Simple reason: money. According to insider Mike Reiss, Johnson would have earned around 2.5 million dollars with the tender. Apparently too much for the traditionally rather stingy Bill Belichick.

Patriots have decided to use the 2nd-round tender on WR Jakobi Meyers, per his agent @DrewJRosenhaus The Patriots will not be tendering FB Jakob Johnson, who now will be a free agent and is expected to have a market for his services.

– Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 13, 2022

So from 16 March the German is unattached. What comes after that, he’s not worried about: “If you’re worried about it, you’re going about it the wrong way,” Johnson explained in a recent presser. “That’s exactly why I have a super agent. He takes care of it. “

Signs still point to Patriots retention

Anyway, there is still a lot to be said for the fullback staying in Foxborough. The Patriots had the league’s eighth-best running game in 2021 with 124 yards per game – that was also due to Johnson’s good blocking game

While NFL insider Adam Schefter reports a “market for his services”, the Patriots are and remain arguably the most suitable team for the 27-year-old.

Hardly anyone plays with “21 personnel” (two running backs or fullbacks, one tight end) or “22 personnel” (two tight ends) as often as New England.

The data service provider “Pro Football Focus”, which analyses every snap, categorises only five other players besides Johnson as fullbacks. Each of these five players is already safely under contract with a team in 2022. It is hard to imagine that another franchise would change its philosophy especially for Johnson and suddenly go for a fullback.

Besides, New England would have to find a replacement for Johnson, which is hard enough. “Sports Illustrated brings up Dalton Keene, who was drafted as a tight end by the Patriots in 2020. So far, however, Keene has revealed major deficiencies in his blocking game.

Jakob Johnson: The face of the German market

Another reason that speaks for Johnson staying in New England: The Patriots are one of four teams that hold rights for the German market and are expected to play a home game in Germany until 2025.

So from a marketing point of view, it would make sense to keep what is currently arguably the best and most famous German-born football player.

In the end, it’s probably – once again – all about the money.

If he is retained, Johnson’s salary with the Patriots in 2022 is likely to be somewhere between $850,000 – his final base salary – and $2.5 million – the tender price.