Report: Patriots have offer on the table for LeGarrette Blount
By Conor Myles
LeGarrette Blount possibly won’t be leaving New England after all.
The New England Patriots have made a ton of moves involving the running back position this offseason. The team has signed unrestricted free agent Rex Burkhead, while also re-signing Brandon Bolden.
In addition to those moves, the team also hosted ex-Vikings star running back Adrian Peterson for a visit, which concluded without Peterson striking a deal with New England.
Now it looks like that could’ve just been a leverage move with their workhorse running back LeGarrette Blount. Blount has spent the 2013 season, and half of the 2014 all the way to 2016 seasons with the Patriots and there’s mutual interest in his return to the team.
Can confirm there is an offer on the table for Blount from the Patriots. They would like a return. He would like a return. $$ matters
— Mike Giardi (@MikeGiardi) April 7, 2017
The timing of this report isn’t much of a coincidence given the fact the Patriots spoke to Peterson. Blount and his camp, who have yet been able to generate any type of market for his services, might be feeling the pressure of losing his only likely destination in 2017.
At the beginning of the week, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported something similar to what Mike Giardi is referring to about Blount’s potential return to New England.
"“I know LeGarrette Blount would like to return to the Patriots,” Rapoport said. “I know the Patriots would like him back.”"
Rapoport also stated that Peterson’s visit could’ve been the factor into speeding up negotiations with Blount.
"“Maybe this spurs things along or maybe he’s able to get a visit somewhere that will let the Patriots know that he has other suitors,” Rapoport said."
Blount is 30 years old and will be turning 31 toward the end of the season in December. The Patriots went through a similar negotiation process with him last offseason, which led to Blount re-signing to a one-year deal worth $760,000.
Blount is coming off a season that saw him rush for 1,161 yards and 18 touchdowns, so it’s easy to see why the aging running back is hoping for a raise from his last year salary after a staggering performance.
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Right now it seems like these two will come to terms on a new deal in the coming days with talks heating up and mutual interest in a reunion acknowledged.