If you made a list of FA, I have to imagine that Alan Branch had to be near the top. The Patriots will be bringing back the 32-year-old DT on a two-year deal. It was reported last week that the Patriots were close to bringing him back. Branch has stated that he’s rediscovered his love for football after signing with the Patriots in the middle of the 2014 season. Branch has been a big piece of two successful championship teams.
Source tells me Alan Branch is finalizing a 2 year deal to stay with the Patriots. @CSNNE #patriots
— Michael Giardi (@MikeGiardi) March 9, 2017
I have to imagine the structure of the contract is similar to the last deal he re-signed with the Patriots. One where the first year of the deal is guaranteed followed by an option for a 2nd year with little guarantees left.
The #Patriots are signing DT Alan Branch back on a 2-year deal worth up to $12M, source says. They are finalizing it now.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 9, 2017
The deal will pay Branch roughly 6 million per year, which is a nice number for him. The Patriots are still working on bringing back LB Dont’a Hightower and are close to a deal with S Duron Harmon. It’s been a very active FA period with the Patriots, having already traded for TE Dwayne Allen and signed CB Stephon Gilmore to a mega deal in the last 24 hours. Both moves will become official at 4pm EST.