Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald reports that the Patriots believe they have made a “solid offer” to free agent DT Alan Branch and the two sides are currently “deep in negotiations.”
Branch was facing a four-game suspension for violating an NFL policy after he tested positive for marijuana test but he later won his appeal against the NFL.
Branch, 31, is a former second-round pick of the Cardinals back in 2007. He spent four years in Arizona before brief stints with the Seahawks and Bills.
The Patriots elected to sign him to a two-year, $4.