Despite their deep receiving corps, the New England Patriots still decided to stick with another wideout. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network Insider, the Patriots picked up the second-year option on the contract of veteran wideout Kenny Britt, per a source with knowledge of the team. Britt will earn $1.05 million in 2018 with a $368,750 roster bonus and workout bonus of $50,000. Britt will have a cap hit of $1,468,750.
The source told Rapoport that the Patriots are expecting big things from the 29-year-old veteran wideout, who played three regular-season games with New England after being released by the winless Cleveland Browns.
Last season, Britt finished with just two catches for 23 yards before the team listed him as inactive during their postseason run to Super Bowl LII. The Patriots already have Brandin Cooks, Julian Edelman, Chris Hogan, Phillip Dorsett, and Malcolm Mitchell as wide receivers. Britt’s signing could also be an insurance move for the Patriots in case they lose Danny Amendola to free agency.
Britt was a disappointment for Browns
Last offseason, the Browns signed Britt to a four-year deal worth $32.5 million after he had an outstanding 2016 for the Los Angeles Rams, where he caught 68 passes for 1,002 yards and five touchdowns. However, he was a huge disappointment for the Browns, tallying just 18 catches for 233 yards and two touchdowns in nine games before he was released.
A first-round draft pick by Tennessee in 2009, Britt played five seasons with the Titans and three with the Rams. In his career, Britt has 329 catches for 5,137 yards and 32 touchdowns in 116 games.
Patriots to part ways with Branch
The Patriots declined to pick up the 2018 team option on the contract of defensive tackle Alan Branch, per NESN.com.
The Patriots’ decision, which came as no surprise, will make Branch a free agent. The move was a no-brainer for the Patriots, as Branch’s contract was set to occupy $4.55 million of the team’s salary cap for 2018. Branch played just 12 games for the Patriots, tallying 12 tackles. Branch did not play in the postseason after he was overtaken in the depth chart by veteran defensive tackle Ricky Jean Francois.
Branch was also a healthy scratch in Super Bowl LII. In his four season with the Patriots, Branch tallied 74 tackles, 25 sacks, six pass breakups and two forced fumbles. Last offseason, Branch signed a two-year deal worth $8.45 million, owing to his consistency in the 2016 season. Currently, the Patriots have Malcom Brown, Lawrence Guy, Adam Butler, and Vincent Valentine as defensive tackles. Like Branch, Jean Francois is also a free agent.
