New England Patriots Reunite With 2-Time Super Bowl Champion Edge Rusher Trey Flowers

The New England Patriots are bringing back a star from their glory years. Per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the Patriots have agreed to terms with two-time Super Bowl champion pass rusher Trey Flowers.

Reunion: The #Patriots are signing their former homegrown pass-rusher Trey Flowers, source said, after recently working him out. The Super Bowl champ won two titles in NE left for big money in Detroit. Now back with the Pats. pic.twitter.com/e7Crp7fozY
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 8, 2023

Flowers initially entered the league as the Patriots' 101st overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. After an uneventful rookie season, he put together three productive years that included 21.0 regular-season sacks, 5.5 postseason sacks, and three consecutive Super Bowl appearances.

Flowers joined former Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia on the Detroit Lions following the 2018 season, inking a massive five-year $90 million deal in free agency. The pair struggled mightily away from New England: Patricia was fired midway through his third season after compiling a 13-29-1 record, and Flowers totalled a mere 10.5 sacks across over 29 healthy appearances before being released in 2022.

Unfortunately, the success that defined Flowers' first run with the Patriots may be difficult to recapture: Flowers hasn't exceeded 2.0 sacks in a season since 2019. The Patriots probably don't expect more than some rotational snaps from the 29-year-old. Barring a miraculous comeback season, Flowers will probably be valued more for his veteran leadership than his on-field potential.