NFL Network's Albert Breer has confirmed that the Patriots have agreed to a 5 year extension with linebacker and team captain Jerod Mayo. Mayo was set to be a free agent after the 2012 season, so the Patriots were being proactive in making a deal.
Mayo has been one of the rocks of the Patriots defense for the past few seasons. He's led the league in tackles and he's grown as a player with each year as a Patriot. There have been some concerns about his low number of impact plays, but those sentiments have generally changed after he's been extremely effective as a player this season.
This deal means that the Patriots and Mayo will be together until 2017, or the first ten seasons of Mayo's career. Continuity is important and the Patriots, victims of extreme turnover in recent times, are showing the desire to keep the team together.
Mayo's new deal should be one contract of many as numerous key players receive deals.
Other players who need to receive deals:
2012 ERFA:
DL Kyle Love
2012 RFA:
QB Brian Hoyer, C Ryan Wendell
2012 FA:
DE Mark Anderson, WR Deion Branch, DE Andre Carter, C Dan Connolly, DE Shaun Ellis, RB Kevin Faulk, RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis, LB Gary Guyton, C Dan Koppen, CB Antwaun Molden, WR Matthew Slater, WR Wes Welker, LB Tracy White
There are a few elite players (Carter, Welker) and a few great impact players (Love, Anderson, Branch, Green-Ellis, Guyton, White) who deserve longer contracts. Hopefully they can get their new contracts soon.
Some other 2013 Players:
CB Kyle Arrington, DL Ron Brace, S Pat Chung, ATH Julian Edelman, LB Dane Fletcher, OT Matt Light, OG Rich Ohrnberger, DL Myron Pryor, OT Sebastian Vollmer, RB Danny Woodhead, DL Mike Wright
So plenty of key players are up for new contracts. Hopefully the Mayo extension is a good sign of things to come.