Ex-NFL QB Heavily Endorses Patriots’ Acquisition Of Standout Defender

The New England Patriots reportedly agreeing to a massive deal with defensive tackle Milton Williams was by far the biggest splash they made on the first day of the NFL’s legal tampering period.

But it was another move the New England front office orchestrated that drew resounding praise from a former Patriots quarterback.

Brian Hoyer, who spent eight seasons with New England across three stints, loved that the Patriots were aggressive in reportedly adding Robert Spillane on a three-year, $37.5 million deal. Hoyer and Spillane were teammates on the Las Vegas Raiders in 2023 and Hoyer had a strong endorsement of the veteran linebacker.

“Spill is as tough as they come and the ultimate competitor,” Hoyer wrote on the X platform. “One of my favorite teammates from Vegas. Great sign by Patriots.”

Spillane, 29, also has a connection to Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel. Spillane entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Titans in 2018, which was Vrabel’s first season at the helm of Tennessee.

After a modest first five years of his NFL career — four of which he spent with the Pittsburgh Steelers — Spillane blossomed into a standout linebacker and tackling machine the last two seasons with the Raiders. Spillane was third in the NFL last season with 158 tackles, which was a slight bump up from the 148 he recorded in 2023.

Spillane showed he could do more than just take down ball carriers, too. He notched five interceptions over the last two seasons and also came through with 5.5 sacks during that span.

Spillane figures to slot right into the middle of the Patriots’ new-look defense next to fellow linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley. And if he plays the way Hoyer described, he won’t have a hard time fitting in on his new team and probably will become a fan favorite in New England.