The New England Patriots could lessen their need for a running back by re-signing unrestricted free agent LeGarrette Blount.
There’s mutual interest between the Patriots and Blount to get a new deal done, a source told the Boston Herald’s Jeff Howe on Wednesday.
Blount carried the ball 165 times for 703 yards with six touchdowns in 12 games last season. He also had six receptions for 43 yards with another touchdown. Blount’s season ended in December when he was placed on injured reserve with a hip ailment.
The Patriots traded a seventh-round draft pick to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for Blount before the 2013 season. He hit free agency in 2014 and signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers but was released that November after leaving the field early during a game against the Tennessee Titans. Blount signed a two-year deal with the Patriots two days after being cut.
Blount has 378 carries for 1,756 yards with 16 touchdowns in 33 games with the Patriots.
The Patriots have Dion Lewis, Brandon Bolden, James White and Tyler Gaffney under contract going into the offseason. They could elect to sign another free-agent running back or select a player in the draft even if they retain Blount.
Thumbnail photo via Stew Milne/USA TODAY Sports Images
