Pats Rumors: Garoppolo, Butler
There have been conflicting reports over the past couple months on whether the Patriots will consider trading backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo this offseason. The latest update, via Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, indicates the Pats “do not want to deal” Garoppolo, even though he could hit free agency next year. No team has shown more interest in Garoppolo this offseason than the Browns, but they’ve seemingly given up hope on acquiring him, per Rapoport, who adds that the Pats regard the 25-year-old as a franchise-caliber passer. New England already has an all-world option under center in Tom Brady, of course, but the five-time Super Bowl champion is set to play his age-40 season in 2017.
One of Garoppolo’s New England teammates, cornerback Malcolm Butler, has also been a prominent part of trade rumors this offseason. While the Patriots’ intention is to keep Butler, according to owner Robert Kraft, Larry Holder of NOLA.com anticipates that they’ll ultimately deal him to the Saints (video via NFL.com). New Orleans has chased Butler, a restricted free agent, and has reportedly had productive long-term contract discussions with him. The Saints aren’t willing to give up the No. 11 overall pick for Butler, but they could dangle the 32nd selection, which they acquired from the Pats in the Brandin Cooks trade.
Pats Have Made Offer To LeGarrette Blount
While the Patriots have no shortage of options at running back, it doesn’t appear they have a No. 1-caliber rusher on hand. With that in mind, the reigning Super Bowl champions are interested in bringing back previous starter LeGarrette Blount, and they have an offer on the table for him, reports Michael Giardi of CSNNE (Twitter link).
Blount would like to re-sign with the Patriots, per Giardi, which isn’t surprising considering the success the former Buccaneer and Steeler has had in two New England stints. The seven-year veteran is now coming off one of the most productive seasons of his career, having amassed career highs in carries (299), yards (1,161) and touchdowns (an NFL-leading 18). Although the bruising Blount is a non-factor in the passing game, New England has complements capable of serving as receiving threats in Super Bowl LI hero James White, Dion Lewis and the newly signed Rex Burkhead.
The workhorse-needy Pats hosted a more high-profile free agent back in Adrian Peterson earlier this month, though they may have done that to give them more leverage in talks with Blount. Like Peterson, the 30-year-old Blount hasn’t encountered a robust market for his services this offseason, and that was also the case last spring. As a free agent in 2016, Blount didn’t sign until April 12, when he took an incentive-laden deal that featured a meager base salary of $760K.
Opinion: Sherman Makes Sense For Patriots
- Former NFL executive and current ESPN.com analyst Joe Banner sees the Darrelle Revis trade of 2013 as a possible comp for a Sherman deal. The Jets received a first-round pick in 2013 and a fourth-round pick in 2014 in exchange for the corner. Meanwhile, Sheil Kapadia huddled up with his fellow beat writers to figure out landing spots that would make sense for Sherman. The writers say the Saints, Packers, Titans, and Patriots all make varying degrees of sense.
Brandon Bolden Contract Details
- Brandon Bolden‘s new deal with the Patriots is worth $855K and comes with a $50K signing bonus, tweets Ben Volin of the Boston Globe. The pact also includes a $30K workout bonus. As Volin notes, this contract certainly doesn’t mean Bolden is a lock to earn a spot on the New England roster, especially given the club’s crowded backfield. At present, the Pats boast Dion Lewis, James White, Rex Burkhead, D.J. Foster, and are also in contact with free agents Adrian Peterson and LeGarrette Blount. If Bolden does make New England’s squad, it will be on the basis of his special teams work.
Patriots Not Interested In Richard Sherman
For those of you dreaming of Richard Sherman in red, white, and blue, we have some bad news. The Patriots are not interested in trading for him, according to a source who spoke with Tom E. Curran of CSNNE.com. 
Seahawks GM John Schneider admits that Sherman trade talks is “real” and we know that the Patriots, at one point, called Seattle about a potential deal. Yesterday, was said that the Patriots would only engage in a full-on pursuit if they wound up losing star cornerback Malcolm Butler this offseason. As it stands, however, it sounds like the Patriots have cooled on Sherman overall. That could be an indication that Butler will not be heading to the Saints, but that’s just my own speculation.
Interestingly, as Sherman finds himself in an awkward situation with the Seahawks, he is acting as his own agent. Sherman was a client of agent Ben Dogra when he signed his lucrative extension with Seattle, but he did not bother to hire a new rep after Dogra was hit with NFLPA sanctions.
Patriots Worked Out Derek Barnett
Tennessee defensive end Derek Barnett has held workouts with the Patriots, Bengals, Saints, and Titans, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk (Twitter link). Barnett, who posted 33 sacks during three years with the Volunteers, is expected to be selected in the first half of Day 1, and I projected Cincinnati to take him at pick No. 9 in the first edition of PFR’s Mock Draft. The Buccaneers and Cowboys have also expressed interest in Barnett, who stands 6’3″, 265 pounds.
Patriots Re-Sign RB Brandon Bolden
The Patriots re-signed running back Brandon Bolden, according to the league’s transactions wire. The signing could impact a pair of high-profile free agent backs previously connected to the team. 
LeGarrette Blount remains in free agent limbo and Bolden’s return could be a sign that Blount’s time in New England is through. The Pats now have five running backs under contract – Rex Burkhead, Dion Lewis, James White, D.J. Foster, and Bolden – so there might not be room for Blount. Bolden isn’t a high-profile player like Adrian Peterson, but the Pats might not be especially motivated to add to this already crowded RB group.
Bolden had just one carry last season with four targets. He probably won’t do much on offense in 2017, but he figures to be a key special teams piece.
Patriots Rumors: Sherman, Peterson, Gronk
The latest on the Patriots:
- The Patriots didn’t just have Adrian Peterson in for a visit on Monday, they also put him through a tryout, Ben Volin of The Boston Globe tweets. Peterson left New England without a contract, but it has been said that the two sides could revisit a deal later. New England’s running back group currently consists of free agent addition Rex Burkhead, Dion Lewis, James White, and D.J. Foster. The team could also still circle back to LeGarrette Blount and Branden Bolden.
- The Patriots have some interest in Richard Sherman, a source tells Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald (on Twitter), but they’re not expected to engage in a full-on pursuit unless they lose Malcolm Butler. Other teams have pursued the Seahawks star more aggressively to this point, Howe adds. On Wednesday, Seattle GM John Schneider publicly admitted that the trade talk surrounding Sherman is “real.” Sherman, has two years left on a hefty four-year extension he signed in 2014, but any team trading for him would only be on the hook for his base salary and not his prorated signing bonus.
- Earlier this week, we learned that Patriots tight end and professional wrestling enthusiast Rob Gronkowski expects to be ready for OTAs.
Patriots Still Interested In Blount, Bolden
Although they’ve signed Rex Burkhead and taken a meeting with Adrian Peterson, the Patriots still have interest in re-signing LeGarrette Blount and Brandon Bolden, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com and Mike Reiss of ESPN.com.
Blount, 30, hasn’t seen his market develop during the first month of free agency, as the only team that’s expressed any interest in him is the Seahawks, who were reportedly “monitoring” Blount before signing Eddie Lacy. As Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk speculated earlier this week, it’s entirely possible New England’s hosting of Peterson was intended to send a message to Blount. Blount, who led the league with 18 rushing touchdowns in 2016, has negotiated with the Patriots since the free agent period opened, but the two sides couldn’t agree to terms.
Bolden, meanwhile, didn’t play much of an offensive role last season (one carry, four targets), and would likely see that burden reduced even further given the arrival of Burkhead in New England. Bolden’s primary role would remain in special teams, where he played nearly 60% of the Patriots snaps in 2016.
No Deal Yet For Patriots, Adrian Peterson
There’s no deal between the Patriots and Adrian Peterson. At least, not yet. Peterson left his visit with New England without a contract, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets. Of course, the two sides could revisit a potential deal later, but he won’t be signing with the defending champs today. 
Peterson’s meeting with the Patriots marked his second free agent visit in this cycle. He visited with the Seahawks, but Seattle’s signing of Eddie Lacy probably takes them off the board. The Giants, Texans, and Raiders were also linked to No. 28 after the Vikings declined his option, but so far we’ve only heard word of those teams not having interest. Right now, it’s hard to say where Peterson will wind up. It could be a while before he lands.
The Patriots, on some level, would make sense for Peterson. The future Hall of Famer is looking for an opportunity to win a Super Bowl ring and the Patriots might give him a better chance than anyone. Also, running back LeGarrette Blount remains in limbo and Peterson would be strong replacement if he is not re-signed. By the same token, Patriots owner Robert Kraft has been critical of Peterson’s off-field missteps in the past and it’s not clear if he’d be willing to overlook the child abuse allegations that came about three years ago.
For now, both the Patriots and Peterson are in a holding pattern. Peterson will continue to try and find some team with genuine interest in signing him right away. The Pats, meanwhile, will continue to negotiate with Blount and it’s possible that their Peterson powwow could help speed things along.
Photo courtesy of Pro Football Rumors on Instagram.