Marcus Stroud, released by the Buffalo Bills last month, evidently will stay in the AFC East.
Though the Patriots haven't officially announced the move, Stroud did accept congratulations from former teammates on Twitter.
Stroud, who's 6-foot-6 and 310 pounds, didn't fit the Bills' long-term plans after struggling in their switch from a 4-3 scheme to a 3-4 last season.
Stroud, 32, was a first-round draft pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2001. He will enter his 11th season in the NFL and has been to three Pro Bowls. He has 29.5 sacks and 39 passes defensed in his career.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.