ORIGINAL POST: The New England Patriots need pass-rushing help, and they reportedly have identified a target.
The Pats are among three finalists to sign linebacker Trent Murphy, ESPN’s Jenna Laine reported Wednesday.
The 27-year-old Murphy, who the Washington Redskins drafted in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft, seemingly bid farewell to the franchise in a tweet Wednesday morning. If the Redskins fail to re-sign him, he’ll become a free agent Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET.
I'm told that the Patriots are among the three final teams (including the Bucs) in the running to land Redskins outside linebacker Trent Murphy. https://t.co/cjRfqhdeyb
— JennaLaineESPN (@JennaLaineESPN) March 14, 2018
So, who is this guy?
Murphy missed all of last season after suffering a torn ACL during the preseason. The 6-foot-6, 259-pound outside linebacker had a breakout season in 2016, though, as he logged nine sacks and 47 combined tackles.
The former Stanford Cardinal also served a four-game PED suspension while on injured reserve last season.
UPDATE (Wednesday, 2:55 p.m. ET): So much for that. Murphy plans to sign a three-year, $21 million contract with the Buffalo Bills, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Former Washington DE Trent Murphy intends to sign a 3-year, $21 million deal with the Buffalo Bills, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 14, 2018