Patrick Chung Can Earn An Extra $800K
- Patriots safety Patrick Chung was given “a chance” to earn an additional $800K in incentives this upcoming season, according to ESPN.com’s Field Yates (via Twitter). This will now bring the veteran’s potential incentives total to $1.7MM. Chung, who has two years remaining on his contract, compiled 91 tackles in 16 starts for New England last season.
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Akiem Hicks Discusses Choosing Bears Over Patriots
- Defensive end Akiem Hicks had a chance to join the Patriots last offseason, but he took a more lucrative offer with the Bears. The 27-year-old ended up winning three games in Chicago, while New England ultimately won the Super Bowl. Despite this fact, Hicks doesn’t regret his decision. ‘‘Not in the slightest,’’ he told Mark Potash of the Chicago Sun-Times. ‘‘Because one of the reasons I came here was . . . a chance to rebuild. I had a chance to be a part of something growing. Being a prominent player [on the Patriots], I enjoyed that aspect of it. I think it’s going to benefit me going forward.’’
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Patriots Work Out Special Teamers
- The Patriots auditioned a number of special teams players last week, according to Mike Reiss of ESPN.com, who reports punters Spencer Lanning and Drew Butler, kicker Adam Griffith, and long snapper Cole Mazza recently worked out for New England. Lanning hasn’t seen an NFL field since 2015, but does offer experience, as he was the Browns’ regular punter from 2013-14. He worked out for the Saints last summer. Butler, meanwhile, appeared in 54 games over four seasons with the Cardinals, but was waived on two separate occasions last year.
Curran: Jimmy Garoppolo Situation Causes QB Controversy
- The Patriots‘ refusal to trade Jimmy Garoppolo — and the possibility that a quarterback franchise tag that could be worth around $24MM in 2018 — creates the appearance of a quarterback controversy, Tom Curran of CSNNE.com notes (video link). Tom Brady will almost certainly be the quarterback this season as long as he’s healthy, but the situation becomes murkier after 2017 when Garoppolo’s contract expires and Brady moves closer to his 41st birthday. Curran also notes the Patriots need more intel on Garoppolo before tagging him, which could be difficult if Brady stays healthy. The backup’s Deflategate audition lasting six quarters instead of 16 leaves an incomplete grade as far as durability goes, Curran notes.
Details On Julian Edelman's Contract
- Patriots receiver Julian Edelman‘s two-year, $11MM extension comes with $500K workout and roster bonuses in both seasons, $500K in available incentives in 2018 and $3.5MM in available incentives in 2019, per Tom Curran of CSNNE.com.
Patriots, Julian Edelman Agree To Extension
It’s a done deal. The Patriots and Julian Edelman have agreed to a multi-year extension, as Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. Earlier today, Mike Garafolo of NFL.com reported that the two sides were nearing agreement.
The two-year, $11MM pact includes $9MM in total guarantees and $7MM in full guarantees, and will keep Edelman in New England through 2019, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com and Albert Breer of The MMQB (all Twitter links). The contract also comes with a $5MM signing bonus and $4MM in reachable incentives, giving it a $15MM max. 
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Edelman, 31, turned in one of his best seasons to date last year. In 2016, Edelman set a new personal watermark in receiving yards (1,106) and also had 98 catches and three touchdowns. Even with Brandin Cooks in the mix and Rob Gronkowski back in the lineup, Edelman still figures to be a top target for Tom Brady.
Edelman was selected with the No. 232 overall pick in the 2009 draft and it’s safe to say that he has outperformed his draft slot. In his rookie season, Edelman had 37 catches for 359 yards and one score. He wasn’t utilized much in the next few regular seasons, but since 2013, he has been a key part of the Pats’ offense. Now, the new contract should allow the Kent State product to complete his career in New England.
Of course, highlighting Edelman’s regular season achievements only tell half of the story with him. Since the Super Bowl era, Edelman ranks third in career playoff receptions with 89, as James Palmer of NFL.com (on Twitter) notes. He’s behind only Jerry Rice (151) and Reggie Wayne (93) on that all-time list and could very well pass Wayne before he’s through with football.
Patriots Sign Top Pick Derek Rivers
The Patriots’ top pick is officially under contract. Defensive end Derek Rivers has inked his rookie deal, according to his agents (on Twitter). 
The Pats selected Rivers with the No. 85 overall pick in the draft, their top selection thanks to the Brandin Cooks trade with New Orleans. The Youngstown State product finished school in style, tallying 14.0 sacks and garnering attention from talent evaluators all over the league. Rivers could be a factor at defensive end behind Kony Ealy and Trey Flowers this year, but we could also see him get some reps at outside linebacker where he can learn from Rob Ninkovich.
The Patriots have now signed all four members of their 2017 draft class. Here’s the full rundown of New England’s rookie class:
- 3-83: Derek Rivers, DE (Youngstown State)
- 3-85: Antonio Garcia, OL (Troy)
- 4-131: Deatrich Wise, DL (Arkansas)
- 6-211: Conor McDermott, T (UCLA)
Patriots, Julian Edelman Nearing Extension
The Patriots and wide receiver Julian Edelman are moving toward a contract extension, Mike Garafolo of NFL.com tweets. The new deal should be completed in the next day or so, he adds. 
[RELATED: AFC East Rumors: Bills, Maclin, Jets, Decker]
Edelman’s current deal is set to expire after the 2017 season. He’s set to carry a $5.75MM cap number in the final year of the four-year, $17MM pact he inked in March 2014. As he enters his age-31 season, Edelman’s next deal could be his last in the NFL.
The Patriots added Brandin Cooks to the fold this offseason, but Edelman still figures to be a key part of Tom Brady‘s passing attack. Last year, Edelman set a career high in receiving yards (1,106) with 98 catches and three touchdowns. Over the last four years, Edelman has an average of 104 grabs and 1,113 yards with six touchdowns per 16 games. He has largely stayed healthy over that span too, with the exception of his nine-game 2015 campaign.
The Patriots currently have upwards of $19MM in cap room, so there is plenty of space to work with for New England.
Jimmy Garoppolo Open To Discussing Extension
Contract-year quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo indicated Tuesday that he would be open to discussing an extension with the Patriots, relays Ryan Hannable of WEEI.com. “I’d entertain any possibility,” said Garoppolo. “I’m really not thinking about too much right now. There’s just so much going on with OTAs and training camp is right around the corner. That’s where my focus is, and we’ll cross that bridge when we get there, I guess.” Unsurprisingly, Garoppolo added that he’s not satisfied holding a clipboard, saying: “Obviously I want to play. That’s the competitor in me. I think everyone out here wants to play. And we come out here and compete every day for that opportunity. If you go out there and earn it, it’s yours.”
Brian Belichick To Join Father's Staff
- Bill Belichick will have both of his sons coaching under him this season. The Patriots coach’s youngest son, Brian Belichick, is set to rise from scouting assistant to coaching assistant, according to Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald (on Twitter). A 2016 college graduate, Brian Belichick will join older brother — the Patriots’ second-year safeties coach — on the sideline in an as-of-yet unspecified capacity.