Report: Patriots Working To Get A Deal Done With Julian Edelman

Update:

Jason La Canfora reports that the Patriots are “working to get a deal done” with free agent WR Julian Edelman.

• According to La Canfora, a return to New England has been the “most likely scenario” all along.
• La Canfora adds that the Browns are still monitoring the situation.

Edelman met with the 49ers on Friday, but it’s hard to say that they have as much interest as the other two teams based on the most recent reports.

Last year, Edelman caught 105 receptions for 1,056 yards receiving and six touchdowns. He also did a great job on special teams as well.

We have him listed as the No. 35 player in our Top 50 Free Agents list.

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Albert Breer reports that the Ravens are now out of the running for free agent WR Julian Edelman after signing veteran WR Steve Smith to a contract.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the Ravens have also expressed “some level of interest” in free agent WR Julian Edelman.

Baltimore has recently met with veteran WR Steve Smith, so they are clearly weighing their options at receiver.

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Matt Barrows reports that the Patriots are “trying hard” to retain free agent WR Julian Edelman.

• Barrows adds that the Browns have interest in Edelman as well.
• Barrows believes this will ultimately be determined by the highest bidder.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that free-agent WR Julian Edelman is scheduled to visit with the 49ers on Friday.

This is the first we’ve heard regarding the 49ers as a potential option for Edelman. As of now, Edelman reportedly has interest from the Browns, Giants, Patriots and Ravens as well.

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Michael Giardi ‏of CSNNE.com reports that the Browns are making a “strong push” to sign Patriots WR Julian Edelman.

• Giardi adds that this comes shortly after the Bengals elect to match offer their offer sheet given to WR Andrew Hawkins.
• Jason La Canfora of CBS reports that Browns QB Brian Hoyer has been trying to recruit Edelman to Cleveland.

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Aaron Wilson reports that Patriots free agent WR Julian Edelman is drawing “heavy interest” from “several” teams around the league right now.

• Wilson adds that there is a “healthy market” for his services.

The Ravens have come up as potential options and the Browns had him on their supposed free agent board, so they could also be someone to watch. It’s also worth noting that the Giants had interest in Edelman last year, but offered him a very low deal.

The Patriots could still be involved, so I wouldn’t completely rule them out at this point in time.

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Jason La Canfora reports that the Ravens are “quite interested” in Patriots free agent WR Julian Edelman.

• La Canfora adds that the Patriots want him back, but other teams are in the mix as well.

Edelman was forced to sign a one-year contract that included a base salary of just $715,000 last year after finding very little interest on the open market.

Some have mentioned that he could command a similar contract to that of fellow Patriots Danny Amendola who signed a five-year, $28.5 million contract that included $10 million guaranteed this offseason.

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Aaron Wilson reports that the Ravens have interest in Patriots free agent WR Julian Edelman, according to his sources.

• Wilson adds that, as of now, “nothing has heated up” between the two parties.

Earlier in the day, Wilson reported that the Ravens also have interest in veteran WR Steve Smith, assuming he is released by the Panthers at some point in the near future.

• ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that Patriots and WR Julian Edelman were unable to reach a deal today and he will test the free agent market.

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Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports that the Patriots have offered WR Julian Edelman a three-year contract and are hoping to get an answer from him before the start of free agent.

• Rapoport adds that the team wants to keep him.

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Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald reports that the Patriots have “intensified” contract negotiations with free agent WR Julian Edelman on Monday.

• Howe adds that the two sides have had “mutual interest” in agreement throughout the offseason.
• Jason La Canfora reports that a deal could get done with Edelman before Tuesday.

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Michael Giardi of CNS New England, citing a team source, reports that there is a “strong push” from within the Patriots’ organization to re-sign free agent WR Julian Edelman.

• Giardi adds that the Patriots’ coaching staff loves his work ethic and production.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported earlier in the week that the two sides had discussed an extension, so it appears as though there is at least a chance an agreement could be in place before the start of the free agent period.