The Monday deadline for signing franchise players to long-term contract extensions came and went without Asante Samuel agreeing to a deal with the Patriots. According to the Boston Globe, the two sides never came close to an agreement.
Samuel was reportedly seeking a front-loaded contract that would pay him as much as $30 million in the first three years, while the Patriots are believed to have offered a $13 million signing bonus with contract figures closer to $6 million per season, including high base salaries in the latter years of the contract.
Because NFL contracts are not guaranteed, it's common for players to seek larger amounts early in their deals, which appears to be the major sticking point in negotiations. It's now unclear what Samuel's plans are.
His options are to agree to the one-year, $7.79 million tender offer he got as a franchise player, or to hold out until the 10th week of the season, play the final six weeks and look towards free agency next year. However, the Patriots could decide to franchise Samuel again next season, which would put the two sides back at square one.
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