LeGarrette Blount is a free agent this spring, but based on comments he made Tuesday it doesn’t look like he’s interested in leaving the New England Patriots.
And really, who could blame him? After all, he had a huge season playing with Tom Brady and Co., rushing for 1,161 yards and 18 touchdowns (leading the league) and won a Super Bowl to boot. He was the battering ram when New England needed one and its primary goal-line scorer.
It’s a role he intends to keep, if the Pats will have him back
“I just want to make sure that I go to this free agency with an open mind knowing that I definitely want to go back to New England,” Blount said on NFL Total Access Monday. “I love it there. I love the culture. I love the players. I’ve become close with a lot of the guys. Obviously you know how my running back group is. We’ll cross that bridge whenever we cross it. On that point, I feel great. I’m in amazing shape. I feel like I could play 100 more years if I have to.”
It’s going to be interesting to see if the Patriots do bring Blount back. This is a club that has often turned its back on productive veterans a year or two before they are no longer viable starters, simply choosing to continue stockpiling young talent to further the dynasty.
Running backs aren’t exactly a waning commodity in the NFL. It wouldn’t be shocking whatsoever if Bill Belichick decided to look for Blount’s replacement in the bottom half of the 2017 NFL Draft.
But in this scribe’s opinion, bringing Blount back on a two-year deal with an option for 2018 would be the best course of action. He’s a proven player who continues to drag defenders into kingdom come and is the perfect complement to the pass-catching running backs New England features.