Mohamed Sanu was not enough for the New England Patriots as the team looked for a special teams upgrade.
They have got it in the form of Justin Bethel who some consider the best special teams player in the NFL.
Source: The #Patriots are signing stellar special teamer Justin Bethel. He was recently released by the #Ravens.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 22, 2019
Bethel, 29, was released by the Baltimore Ravens just yesterday because of their desire to keep a compensatory fourth-round draft choice they would have had to give to the Tennessee Titans.
The former Raven and Atlanta Falcon is a three-time Pro Bowler earning the honor in 2013, 2014, and 2015. He also earned earned First Team All-Pro honors in 2013 and 2015.
In 2013, he recorded 21 tackles and two field goal blocks that put his special teams prowess on perfect display.
Ravens head coach John Harbaugh is upset the team had to let go of Bethel because of all he had to offer in the third phase of the game.
“Judgment has to be made for the future as well,” Harbaugh told reporters at his weekly press conference. “That’s tough for us because, I told him, I think he’s the best special teams player in the NFL, and he’s playing that way. So that’s going to be a blow, and we’re going to have to find a way to overcome that.”
The Patriots now have a slew of top special teams players in the NFL with the addition of Bethel. Most notably Matthew Slater as another All-Pro and Brandon Bolden who carved out a roster spot on the team numerous times because of special teams.
