Robert Kraft is aware the New England Patriots need to open their checkbooks up this offseason, but how much is he actually willing to spend? Several marquee players are looking to get new contracts with the Patriots, but Kraft is only willing to spend so much on re-signing free agents. With a budget in mind, is Aqib Talib the first player out?
The Patriots signed Talib to bargain contract in 2013. The Pro Bowl safety earned five million on a one-year contract and is prepared to command more money in the upcoming season. Kraft acknowledges that while the Patriots would love to have the defensive star back on the field, but is prepared to be cautious when it comes to a new contract.
"Well we want to retain all the good players we can retain," Kraft said on WBZ-AM, via CSN New England's Tom Curran. "It's not like we have unlimited funding so ... He wasn't on the field a lot of the time since he's been with us. It's a balance of us balancing all that out and what is he worth. I think he's happy here and would like to be here and we're happy with him and we'd like to have him here and now it's just about doing business."
Kraft is certainly not wrong in his assessment of Talib. While maintaining the reputation of a shutdown cornerback, the veteran was on and off the field with a reoccurring hip injury. The reason the Patriots only offered him a one-year contract is because of reported character issues off the field. Talib has redeemed himself, but his injury history does not command a high price tag.
Talib has made it known that he prefers to remain in New England, stating the Patriots really helped his career take off, but with several other players needing contract, what kind of deal is he willing to take? NFL.com reports if Talib demands anything higher than $7 million, the Patriots will likely let him walk into free agency.
Kraft is clearly not making Talib the team's top priority which means Julian Edelman could be. Quarterback Tom Brady is certainly hoping his receiver is a priority for New England this offseason. 2013 proved Brady cannot do it all himself and Edelman was the only one producing on the field. With Kraft being cautious with the contracts, who stays and who goes?