Report: Patriots, Julian Edelman Discuss Contract Prior To Start Of Free Agency

Julian Edelman hits the open market on Tuesday, but the New England Patriots got a head start on the rest of the league in discussing a new contract with the wide receiver.

The Patriots and Edelman began contract talks on Thursday, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The Patriots have exclusive negotiating rights with Edelman until Saturday at noon. Starting then, other NFL teams can contact Edelman, but they cannot reach an agreement until Tuesday.

Edelman is coming off a 105-catch, 1,056-yard season with the Patriots in 2013 — his first as a full-time starter. Edelman is likely set to earn a contract similar to the one Danny Amendola signed in 2013, which pays him $28.5 million over five years with $10 million guaranteed.

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