The New England Patriots are aware they will have to open their wallet this offseason. Several key players are preparing to hit the free agent market if the team does not do some early work to extend their deals. While negotiations with cornerback Aqib Talib have already begun. Running back LeGarrette Blount and wide receiver Julian Edelman are both looking to start talks as well.
The Patriots got off easy last offseason signing both Talib and Edelman to small contracts. Talib agreed to a one-year, $5 million contract while Edelman was the real bargain at a one-year, $715,000 deal. After both players had strong seasons, New England will not be able to get away with such contracts again.
"You sort it all out," Belichick said, via the Boston Herald. "You have the people who work on that in our organization. We'll get together with them. We'll get a sense of where we are, what some of the issues are going to be, what some of the options are going to be. We have some players that are not under contract. We have some degree of cap space. We have whatever degree of flexibility we have with other things, we have draft choices, we can make projections on what they're going to cost and you start putting that all together.
After the loss to the Denver Broncos, Edelman remained very coy about his upcoming free agency. The wide receiver is easily the team's most important free agent as he emerged as a strong target for Tom Brady as Danny Amendola could not be counted on. With all of the inconsistencies to the Patriots wide receivers corps, they cannot afford to let Edelman walk.
Blount also emerged as a top player for the Patriots. The running back finished with 772 yards and seven touchdowns during the regular season, constantly helping bail out Brady. He came to the team after being traded in April for Jeff Demps and a draft pick by the Buccaneers.
Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network reports there is mutual interest between Blount and the Patriots regarding a contract extension. Given the running back's recent stat totals, he could earn a deal worth somewhere around three or four years and $3 million.
Along with Talib, Blount and Edelman, the team must also start discussions with linebacker Brandon Spikes, defensive end Andre Carter and tight end Michael Hoomanawanui.