Alan Branch reportedly will return to the New England Patriots in 2016.
The Patriots have told Branch they will pick up his $400,000 option bonus, ESPN’s Mike Reiss reported Tuesday. Branch has a $2.75 million salary cap hit in 2016.
The 6-foot-6, 350-pound defensive tackle signed a one-year deal with the Patriots in October 2014. He was re-signed to a two-year, $4.3 million contract last March after hitting free agency.
Branch had 35 tackles with one sack and two forced fumbles in 2015. He started in 15 of the Patriots’ 16 regular-season games after serving as a rotational player in 2014.
Defensive tackles Malcom Brown, Dominique Easley, Chris Jones and Ishmaa’ily Kitchen are under contract in New England for 2016. Akiem Hicks is an unrestricted free agent.
Thumbnail photo via Ron Chenoy/USA TODAY Sports Images
