The New England Patriots leaned on LeGarrette Blount heavily during their championship season last year, and the veteran running back wants to be rewarded for it.
Blount, 30, remains a free agent. Coming off a season in which he rushed for a career-high 1,161 yards and 18 touchdowns (which led the NFL), Blount wants the Patriots to pay him. He made that clear while cracking a joke at the Boston Celtics-Cleveland Cavaliers game Wednesday night.
LeGarrette Blount, at C's-Cavs, weaves through a group of reporters, turns and says, "See, tell them I still got it. Give me some money."
— Chris Mannix (@ChrisMannixYS) April 6, 2017
It’s worth noting that Blount and Patriots owner Robert Kraft shared a hug during the game, so there is clearly no bad blood between the two sides.
Dion Lewis, LeGarrette Blount, Stephon Gilmore, & Robert Kraft are at the @Celtics game tonight.
Kraft went over & hugged Blount.
— Only In Boston (@OnlyInBOS) April 6, 2017
The Patriots are said to want Blount back, but money is likely the issue. Bill Belichick sees an aging running back who is probably more valuable in New England than he is any other place, hence why Blount remains unsigned. Blount, on the other hand, wants to be paid more than the $1 million he got in 2016, and you can understand why after the numbers he put up.
New England has already signed Rex Burkhead, but there is still room for Blount. As long as this future Hall of Famer doesn’t take Blount’s spot on the roster, it seems likely he will ultimately remain with the Patriots.
