Edelman, Hightower, Others Attend First Day Of Patriots Offseason Workouts
Julian Edelman and other key players attended the first day of Patriots offseason workouts. Perhaps the “mutiny” against Bill Belichick was overstated.
Jun 13, 2017, Foxborough, MA, USA: New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman gets set to catch a pass during minicamp at the Gillette Stadium practice field. (Photo Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports)
(Photo Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports)By Matt Dolloff, 985TheSportsHub.com
The Patriots had a heavily attended first day of voluntary offseason workouts on Monday. Wide receiver Julian Edelman was among the players in attendance.
As noted in a new column by ESPN's Mike Reiss, Edelman can earn a $500,000 workout bonus this season, the highest on the team. He took the first step toward that by arriving in Foxboro for the first day of workouts, along with many other notable names.
Christopher Price of the Boston Sports Journal has a full list of players who are known to have been in attendance on Monday. Also among the notables are linebacker Dont'a Hightower, receiver Chris Hogan, safety Devin McCourty, running back James White, defensive end Trey Flowers, and center David Andrews.
Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski were the two big names to be absent from the first day of workouts. Brady was busy with a trip to Qatar for his Best Buddies charity, but isn't expected to participate regularly in the voluntary portion of the Patriots' offseason program. Meanwhile, Gronkowski is reportedly holding out due to issues with his contract.
Rob Gronkowski and Tom Brady high-five during a 2017 game between the New England Patriots and Denver Broncos. The Patriots won 41-16. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
But the fact that Edelman, who recently posted a provocative Instagram video promoting Brady's "TB12 Method", showed up is a small sign that not everybody is as upset with head coach Bill Belichick as Brady and Gronkowski seem to be. The quarterback and tight end do appear to be harboring some lingering discontent with Belichick, for various reasons. But that doesn't necessarily mean it's turning into a full-on mutiny.
Edelman isn't sacrificing his workout bonus for the sake of supporting his quarterback. He's not taking a stand against the Malcolm Butler benching. And he's not giving the finger to Belichick's own workout program in favor of Alex Guerrero. He, and many other key players, are ostensibly still on board here.
More: Brady's Contract An Issue?
We'll see how it goes with literally the two most important players for the Patriots, but it's at least a smidge promising that Brady and Gronk appear to be on an island with their absences. Edelman would be the first person you'd think would line up right behind Brady and sit out along with him. That doesn't appear to be the case.
Matt Dolloff is a digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff or email him at matthew.dolloff@bbgi.com.
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