How aggressive free agency moves led the Patriots and Seahawks to the Super Bowl

Winning the headlines during free agency in March doesn't typically lead to success in January and February in the NFL.

This season, that hasn't been the case.

Two of the most aggressive teams during the free agency period last offseason ended up in the Super Bowl, with the big-spending New England Patriots taking on the Seattle Seahawks.

"We felt like we needed a total culture shift," New England general manager Eliot Wolf said. "We spent a lot of time doing work on the type of people that we brought in, and it's crazy to say, but I don't know that we missed on a person. Not every player has been the greatest free agent signing ever, but all the people that brought in during free agency have been phenomenal."

The Patriots handed out the most money on the unrestricted free agent market, with more than $364 million in contracts — nearly $100 million more than the next-highest team — handed out to 19 free agents, according to Spotrac. New England also led in guaranteed money spent, with nearly $175 million of those deals fully guaranteed.

The Patriots won a bidding war for star defensive tackle Milton Williams with a four-year, $104 million contract. New England also added several other key defensive players like cornerback Carlton Davis, edge rushers Harold Landry and K'Lavon Chaisson, and linebacker Robert Spillane.

New England also got No. 1 receiver Stefon Diggs on a three-year, $63.5 million deal, along with starting offensive linemen Morgan Moses and Garrett Bradbury, and receiver Mack Hollins.

"I think you just have to be very intentional with the people that you're bringing in," coach Mike Vrabel said. "I think sometimes free agency, you have to be able to use it. People use it in different ways. It's a part of our