Jakob Johnson’s contract with the New England Patriots is up, so the fullback might soon be a free agent. He’s relaxed about the answer to the question about the future.

Munich – Jakob Johnson immediately put on his poker face.

While the New England Patriots fullback had talked in detail about his football camp in Stuttgart on 10 April, there was not much to say about his personal future. The fact is: His contract with the Patriots expires, which means Johnson would be a free agent as of 16 March.

A “restricted free agent”, to be precise. Which means that the Patriots still own the rights to Johnson.

In addition to signing Johnson to a new contract, they can also put him on a so-called tender, which also sets Johnson’s future salary. In doing so, other teams can make an offer, which the Patriots can match in turn. If they don’t and Johnson leaves, they receive compensation determined by the tender.

If Johnson does not receive a tender by the start of free agency, he is immediately an unrestricted free agent, meaning he can negotiate with all teams without restriction.

No secret information

“That’s exactly why I have a super agent. He’ll take care of it,” Johnson said, grinning, “When word comes, you’ll know. Until then, I’m afraid I don’t have any secret information for you.”

Now he probably doesn’t have to worry about the upcoming season anyway; his 2021 year was strong, putting an impressive athletic exclamation point on it. Whether it’s for the Patriots or another team.

Johnson is working with coach Brian McDonough this offseason at the “Edge Performance Systems” gym in Foxborough. And is relaxed waiting for what’s to come.

“If you’re worried about it, you’re going about it the wrong way. What happens I can’t control, so I don’t worry about it,” Johnson said. That doesn’t help him, so you have to have a relaxed attitude about it, he stressed: “I focus on the things I need to do to succeed as a player.”

His agent will do the rest, with Johnson represented by Drew Rosenhaus. At the beginning of his NFL career he didn’t have an agent, as a player from the International Pathway Programme there was simply no need for one: “There’s nothing to negotiate, NFL contracts are standard contracts, they’re dictated by the players’ union.”

But then his better half put her foot down: “My girlfriend made sure I got an agent during my first year. “

Earning on the field

After various interviews, he decided to go with Rosenhaus’ agency. “Agents get a prescribed percentage for all the contracts they negotiate for you, between two and three per cent.”

But, “How much money you get, how long the contract lasts, you have to earn on the field.” In that respect, Johnson put in a decent showing in 2021.