Pending Patriots free agents express desire to return

With the Patriots’ 2021 season coming to a close, attention turns towards the future. On Monday afternoon, two of the team’s pending free agents spoke with the media, and were asked about continuing their respective futures in New England.

“Oh yeah. I mean, definitely. Honestly, I enjoy being here,” wide receiver Jakobi Meyers said when asked if he hopes to return to the team in 2022. “I enjoy my teammates. But at the end of the day, all I can do is control what I can control, right? So I feel like I did that to the best of my ability, trying to play hard and play tough, and the rest of that is in somebody else’s hands.”

For Meyers particularly, he has less control over what happens than the typical free agent. As a restricted free agent, or RFA, the Patriots can tender him a contract. If they do, they would have the right of first refusal should another offer come up. They also may be entitled to draft pick compensation if Meyers were to sign elsewhere.

This year’s RFA tenders are projected to be anywhere from $2.4 million for just the right of first refusal, to $5.6 million for a first-round compensation pick. Those contracts would be good value for a player that has led the team in receiving in each of the last two seasons. March 8 is the deadline this year for teams to submit RFA tenders – players not tendered by that point would become unrestricted free agents.

Even though the team can dictate his future, that doesn’t seem like an issue for Meyers, who sounds eager to remain with the franchise. “Honestly, I feel like I’ve gotten better as a player, a person, all of it,” Meyers said of his time in New England. “I think about my first day in the league, and just where I was mentally – I just wasn’t who I am today. I just feel like I’m a much better player, a much better man and when you’ve got a situation like that, it’s something you want to hold on to.”

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  As for interior offensive lineman Ted Karras, he's set to be an unrestricted free agent when the new league year begins in March. It was quite the year for Karras in 2021 - he signed seemingly to replace then-free agent David Andrews, who then unexpectedly returned days later. After starting the season on the bench, injuries saw Karras return to the starting lineup as a guard. He was one of the team's best and most consistent linemen this season.
  
  This was also Karras' second stint with the Patriots. He was drafted by the team in the sixth round in 2016, and played four years in New England before heading to Miami on a one-year deal in 2020. Once again, Karras is open to the idea of returning in 2022.
  
  "I always would love to come back," he told reporters. "And I know that there's - this isn't the time to make any of those decisions and I know that the organization is going to look at everything and whatever happens, happens. I understand it's a business. I obviously love being here and love the people here. I feel I fit in well." Karras also thanked the town of Wrentham for being welcoming to him and his family during the season.
  
  While Karras is open to a return, other moves on the offensive line will likely dictate how realistic that is. Karras has proven over the last two years he's a starting-caliber player and deserves to play and be paid as such.
  
  With David Andrews in place at center and Shaq Mason at right guard, Karras could play the left guard spot like he did in 2021. But, if the team wants to keep Michael Onwenu in that spot, Karras may end up looking elsewhere. If the team determines Onwenu's long-term position will be tackle, bringing back Karras would make a lot of sense. 
  
  The Patriots have until March 14 to exclusively negotiate with all of their pending free agents. Free agency unofficially begins that day at noon with the 'legal tampering period,' then the new league year officially begins at 4 p.m. two days later.

MORE: Early offseason decisions pressing the Patriots

Alex Barth is a writer and 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. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at abarth@985TheSportsHub.com.