Wide receiver Julian Edelman is going to market.
NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported Tuesday that the New England Patriots tried to keep the pass-catcher around with a three-year contract, but the sides couldn't reach a deal before the start of free agency, according to a source. After leading the Patriots in catches this past season, Edelman is free to find another team.
NFL Media's Albert Breer noted that he wouldn't be "surprised" if the Patriots have a backup plan lined up if another franchise swoops in to grab Edelman, who ranked No. 47 on Around The League's list of the top 101 free agents.
Edelman, 27, also made our list of players bound to be overpaid in free agency. He enjoyed a hyper-productive, 105-catch campaign last season, but plenty of that came in the vacuum of a passing attack lacking reliable targets.
At the same time, he filled a void that the much-ballyhooed Danny Amendola could not. Also a dangerous return man, Edelman is bound to generate plenty of interest from teams looking for a reliable supporting cast member.
In the latest edition of the "Around The League Podcast," the guys study the free agency picture with the help of NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport.
