In eight days, the NFL's free agency period will start – and the New England Patriots project to be busy. Before March 14, however, the team still has plenty of work to do in order to create salary cap space for potential free agency signings, internally and externally. One such move will reportedly involve defensive tackle Alan Branch.
According to NESN's Doug Kyed, the veteran will not return to the team in 2018:
The Patriots won’t pick up DT Alan Branch’s option, per source. He’ll become a free agent.
The Patriots originally signed Branch in October 2014 and he turned out to become one of the best in-season pick-ups in recent team history.