Patriots included weight clauses in Terrance Knighton's contract

New England Patriots defensive tackle Terrance Knighton is one of the most physically imposing players in the NFL, but the club is ensuring he stays in peak shape.

Knighton signed a one-year, $4.5-million contract on March 31 that included clauses stipulating he meets an undisclosed weight.

The 29-year-old saw no issue with the clause and spoke about how he's slimming down as part of the Patriots' offseason program.

I'm in a lot better shape than I was last year. Contractually, I have things, weights that I need to hit. Whatever the coaches want me to play at then that's what I'll be at. I've worked really hard this offseason and I'll continue to work throughout the offseason program and get acclimated to the new strength coaches and the nutritionists and the way things are done in Foxboro. I'm looking forward to it and that's something that obviously it's been a tag on me my whole career, about my weight, but it's something that I've paid a lot of attention to this offseason. It won't be a problem.

Knighton recorded 29 tackles and 1.5 sacks in 15 starts with the Washington Redskins. Listed at 354 pounds, Knighton wants to cut weight, ostensibly to play more snaps in the Patriots' deep rotation.

"Obviously, when it becomes a factor in you playing football, your performance on the field, it's something that you have to pay attention to," Knighton said. "I have a lot of football left and I don't want anything to hinder me from that. I put last season behind me. I'm happy about being in New England."