A year from now, the Patriots may still be complaining about Julian Edelman’s agents.
The Pats want their most durable and reliable pass-catching option from 2013 back, but on their terms. Per NFL Media, the Patriots have offered Edelman a three-year deal, and they want an answer by the start of free agency at 4:00 p.m. ET.
Last year, when Edelman became a free agent for the first time in his career, Edelman signed a one-year, $715,000 contract. It contained a “split” provision, allowing the team to pay Edelman less if landed on injured reserve early in the season. Later, they persuaded him to shift $40,000 of his $50,000 workout bonus to a roster bonus payable if he made it to the Week One roster.
It was a bargain for the Pats. Appearing in 16 games, he generated 1,056 receiving yards, most on the team by more than 400 yards.
This year, he deserves more pay and more security. While it’s unclear what the Pats have offered, it appears that they’re ready to move on to someone else if Edelman doesn’t accept. Sort of like they did last year with Wes Welker.
Edelman’s agent, Don Yee, should know by now what someone else will pay. If someone else will pay more, the question becomes whether Edelman will leave for another team -- or take less to stick around, like another Yee client, Tom Brady, did last year.