New England Patriots’ $10 Million Special Teams Star Is Already Paying Dividends With Sick Tackle

The New England Patriots inked a third-string safety to a contract extension worth up to $10.5 million, shocking NFL fans who had never heard of Brenden Schooler. His first game as a wealthy man, however, soon showed them how good he was on special teams.

The 27-year-old undrafted free agent produced one of the week’s best plays, but it won’t get nearly as much attention as it deserves.

As an unranked recruit in the Class of 2016, Schooler, a native of California, accepted his single scholarship offer after graduating high school. Playing on both sides of the ball, he spent four seasons at Oregon to start his collegiate career before spending two years at Texas.

The Patriots signed Schooler to a three-year contract soon after the NFL Draft when Bill Belichick noticed that he had a 4.43-second 40-yard sprint and a 6.71-second three-cone drill on his Pro Day. At the conclusion of training camp, New England signed him to the active roster, primarily to play on special teams.

Both sides benefited greatly from the choice.

What a master Brenden Schooler is!

Schooler spent his first two seasons in the league with a total of 27 tackles. The highlight of his career was an incredible, unexpected blocked field goal against the Dolphis last season.

Brenden Schooler is now so good at punting and kickoffs that he can’t be blocked. He may have the only five-minute, one-season highlight tape of any special team player in league history. No other NFL athlete can match his ability to turn the field.

The Patriots signed Schooler to a three-year contract deal last week in an effort to guarantee that they would have him past this season. With a $3.6 million guarantee, the contract has a potential value of $10.5 million.

It happened on Friday. Two days later, he made the Houston Texans look foolish!

Without being touched, Schooler made a clutch tackle for loss after blowing past a double team.