The Patriots have retained one of their defensive centerpieces.
Defensive tackle Alan Branch finalized a two-year, $12 million contract extension yesterday, according to a source. The two sides made notable progress with their negotiations last Wednesday and finalized the details this week before striking an agreement.
The 32-year-old is coming off the best season of his career, and he was rewarded for it. Branch was on a two-year pact that had been worth a maximum value of $6.6 million, so he banked off an unusual career arc.
Late last season, Pats coach Bill Belichick said Branch was easily the team’s most productive defensive tackle at a spot where it was otherwise inconsistent due to youth and injury issues.