Patriots bring back Jamie Collins for 3rd stint

The New England Patriots finalized a deal with Jamie Collins, bringing the linebacker to Foxborough for the third time, his agency announced Wednesday.

The Detroit Lions released Collins after Week 3 following an unsuccessful attempt to trade him. The veteran was in the second season of a three-year, $30-million contract.

Collins logged two previous stints with the Patriots. He began his career with New England in 2013 before heading to the Cleveland Browns in a 2016 trade. He returned to the Patriots in 2019 after two-plus uneventful years with the Browns.

The defender has produced his best seasons under Bill Belichick in New England, both times parlaying strong showings into lucrative contracts elsewhere. He notched a career-high seven sacks with the club in 2019 while also posting a personal-best three interceptions.

The Patriots' defense ranks fifth in yards allowed and sixth in points allowed through four games, but the unit could use help at linebacker with Ja'Whaun Bentley sidelined.