On Wednesday, ESPN released a list of 99 people who will shape the 2017 season. As the reigning Super Bowl champions, the New England Patriots had their own category.
But wide receiver Julian Edelman is the first Patriot mentioned as a key “Player in a contract year” looking to earn a new deal. Edelman is due to become an unrestricted free agent after this season. Other players in that category include Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford and Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Melvin Ingram.
From ESPN’s Dan Graziano:
Everybody wants to talk about Malcolm Butler’s contract situation, but Edelman has caught more than 90 passes in three of the past four seasons and is making $4.