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According to NFL Insider Ian Rappoport, the New England Patriots have reached a new deal with team captain Jerod Mayo:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Patriots?src=hash">#Patriots</a> & captain Jerod Mayo agreed on a 1-year deal for $4.5M fully guaranteed. Chance to make $6M, source said. Then 2 option years.</p>— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/590909284910665728">April 22, 2015</a></blockquote>
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This seems like a solid deal for both sides, as it gives Mayo some guaranteed money while giving the club flexibility in how long they retain his services. There were some initial talks this offseason about whether or not Mayo would be traded, as the current linebacking corps is solid and had a very strong year in his absence last season, but Belichick clearly values his football intelligence and leadership too much to let him go. The Patriots will once again try and build their defense around Mayo and use Hightower and Collins on either side.