Report: Brian Waters Turned Down ‘Significant Pay Raise’ From Patriots

The status of Patriots guard Brian Waters has been an interesting tale over the last few weeks, if more for the mystery of it all than for Waters’ relative importance to the team.

Waters is on New England’s reserve/did not report list under a two-year contract he signed in 2011, but he didn’t show up to training camp and hasn’t made a move to join the team. The Patriots have not given any details about why Waters wasn’t around, leaving many to speculate about what Waters wanted and how the team was responding.

The situation cleared up somewhat Monday, with at least one question answered: Waters doesn’t appear to want to rejoin the Patriots, no matter how much they’re offering.

Waters, 35, started every game of the 2011 season for the Patriots, including the Super Bowl, and was voted a starter for the Pro Bowl last year. He played 10 years in Kansas City before signing with the Patriots for last season.

His absence has been felt this year in New England as the Patriots make their game plan with a less experienced offensive line.