Although the New England Patriots lost running back LaGarrette Blount to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Friday afternoon, they did cut a deal with one of his blockers, re-signing veteran center Ryan Wendell.
The move was first reported by Tom E. Curran of CSN New England and confirmed by Field Yates of ESPN Boston.
Ryan Wendell has re-signed with the Patriots. Ferreting out the length and other terms still. #PatriotsTalk
— Tom E. Curran (@tomecurran) March 28, 2014
Per NFLPA records, the Patriots have re-signed C Ryan Wendell to a two-year deal worth a maximum of $6.85 million.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) March 28, 2014
Ben Volin of The Boston Globe has the details.
Wendell gets a $850k signing bonus, $1m base salary both years, and $2m roster bonus each year, including $12,500 per active game
— Ben Volin (@BenVolin) March 28, 2014
Ah, @FieldYates is right: Wendell can earn up to $8.15m over two years if he gets his full $1.3m incentives in 2015
— Ben Volin (@BenVolin) March 28, 2014
Wendell, a former Fresno State Bulldog, went undrafted in 2008 and caught on with the Patriots’ practice squad. In 2010, he began seeing regular time, even starting two games.
In 2012, Wendell won the starting center job.