Written by Yaron Weitzman at SBNation.com
Defensive end and 2008 No. 2 pick Chris Long has signed a one-year deal with the New England Patriots, according to a report from ESPN’s Trey Wingo. Long himself later confirmed the news on Twitter.
“This is an opportunity and I am so thankful!!! Whatever it takes!!! See you soon Boston. GO PATS”
The Patriots made the signing after trading defensive end Chandler Jones to theArizona Cardinals earlier on Tuesday. Long will help fill the hole left by Jones, provided he can stay healthy.
The 30-year-old Long, who was drafted out of Virginia by the Los Angeles Rams in 2008 and released in February, has played in just 18 games over the last two seasons and recorded just four sacks. He didn’t miss a game in the previous four years and had 13 sacks in 2011 and 11.5 in 2012. He has 54.5 career sacks in eight seasons in the NFL.
Long signed a four-year, $48.2 million extension with the Rams in 2012, which was set to expire following the 2016 season. He would have earned $11.75 million from the Rams had he not been released and count as $14.25 million against the salary cap.
“I just want to personally and humbly thank the city of St. Louis again for all your support over 8 years. I love y’all so much for sticking with me through the ups and downs,” Long wrote on his Instagram account after being released. “I also want to thank our LA fans, and although I may never join you in SoCal, just know that I’ll always appreciate you.
“Bottom line is: this is a production business. No excuses, the last two years have been sh*t. It’s been painful to experience because I care deeply about my performance and my responsibility to my teammates. Before the last two years I’m very proud of what I was able to accomplish in St. Louis. I’m not surprised, but it doesn’t make it any easier to leave your family.”
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