Patriots QB Tom Brady told reporters after Sunday’s AFC Championship loss that he is hoping to have WR Julian Edelman back next season.
“Free agency and stuff, that takes time to develop. And I know how difficult a task it is for our team to make decisions like this, and we’ve had to make a lot of tough decisions over the years,” Brady said, via ESPN Boston.”All those things sort themselves out. Coach Belichick is the one that makes all those tough decisions. I love [Edelman], he’s one of my best pals, I spent a lot of time with him. I’m just proud of him for everything that he’s accomplished. He deserves the best.“
Edelman, 27, is coming off of a career season for the Patriots in which he totaled 105 receptions for 1,056 yards receiving and six touchdowns.
He figures to be one of the best receivers available on the open market and the fact that he’s can contribute on special teams as a kick returner should only help his marketability.
As we’ve previously mentioned, the Patriots have some cap space to work with, but they could probably use some more if they plan on locking up players like Edelman and CB Aqib Talib among others.
We have Edelman listed as the No. 45 player in our Top 50 Free Agents list.
LeGarrette Blount
According Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, New England RB LeGarrette Blount is hoping to re-sign with the Patriots this offseason.
It’s Rapoport’s understanding that the Patriots have “mutual” interest in bringin g Blount back for another season.
Blount, 27, came over in trade with Tampa Bay last year for RB Jeff Demps and a 2013 seventh-round draft pick.
Clearly, the Patriots got the better end of this deal given that Blount finished the season with 772 yards rushing (5 yards per carry) and seven touchdowns. Blount totaled just one yard less than Stevan Ridley.
Blount shouldn’t be too hard to re-sign this offseason.
We have him listed as the No. 80 player in our Top 100 Free Agents list.
Looking for the latest NFL Insider News & Rumors?
Be sure to follow NFL Trade Rumors on TWITTER and FACEBOOK for breaking NFL News and Rumors for all 32 teams!
