Gillislee signs $6.4M offer sheet
FOXBORO — Bills restricted free agent running back Mike Gillislee signed a two-year, $6.4 million offer sheet with the Patriots yesterday, according to two sources. The deal includes $4 million in 2017.
The Bills haven’t given Gillislee their final decision, but the initial indication is they don’t believe they’ll match the offer, according to a source.
The Bills have until Monday to decide. If they match, Gillislee returns to Buffalo under the terms of the offer sheet. If they decline, the Pats keep Gillislee and surrender a fifth-round pick in next week’s draft. Gillislee, a hardnosed, between-the-tackles runner, had his best season in 2016 with 101 carries for 577 yards and eight touchdowns.
This could be the third time the Patriots poached a member of the Bills in the past 13 months. They snagged restricted free agent wide receiver Chris Hogan last year on a threeyear, $12 million contract and signed cornerback Stephon Gilmore last month to a five-year, $65 million pact.
Per the theme of the past month, the Patriots were involved in discussions with multiple running backs yesterday, as they signed James White to a three-year contract extension through 2020, according to ESPN.
White broke out last season with 60 catches for 551 yards and five touchdowns, and he added a Super Bowl-record 14 catches for 110 yards and the winning score in overtime.
Another haircut
Patriots receiver Danny Amendola restructured his contract for the third consecutive year, according to a source. Amendola has been open to this scenario. Details of the contract were not disclosed.
Amendola originally signed a five-year contract in 2013 that was worth up to $31 million. By restructuring the first two times, he gave back $2 million in cash ($2.54 million in cap space) in 2015 and another $3.9 million in cash ($3.95 million in cap space) in 2016.
Amendola has been an integral member of two Super Bowl teams.
Procedural matter
After acquiring wide receiver Brandin Cooks in a trade last month, it’d be a surprise if the Pats don’t exercise his fifth-year option by the May 3 deadline. They haven’t yet discussed their intentions with Cooks.
“We haven’t commented on anybody’s contract situation,” said Nick Caserio, the Pats director of player personnel. “So we’ll make that decision when we feel the time is appropriate and we’ll do what we feel is best for our team.”
Because Cooks was a first-round pick in 2014, he is eligible for the fifth-year option. It’s said to be worth $9 million, considerably less than what he’d earn as an unrestricted free agent after this season. That’s why, after giving up first- and thirdround picks for Cooks, the Patriots will probably exercise the option.
Role playing
Running back Rex Burkhead signed a one-year deal with the Pats that is worth up to $3.1 million, which is essentially a starter’s salary. It was a lucrative payday for the four-year backup with the Bengals, but Burkhead wouldn’t drown himself with huge expectations.
“We’ll see what happens. I’m just taking it day by day and hopefully can showcase my talents and my abilities,” he said. “I’m not really thinking about next year. I’m just thinking about what I need to do as a teammate and part of this organization.” . . .
The Pats released offensive lineman Tre’ Jackson, while tight end Matt Lengel signed his exclusive rights tender. Jackson started nine games in 2015 but missed last season due to knee surgery.
Right on schedule
The NFL will release its 2017 regular-season schedule tomorrow night.
The Patriots will host the kickoff game on Thursday, Sept. 7, possibly in a rematch of their Super Bowl win against Atlanta.