Report: Andre Carter, Patriots Far Apart In Contract Negotiations
BOSTON (CBS) -- Last season, Andre Carter was an absolute monster for the Patriots, bringing the kind of defensive dominance New Englanders haven't seen since the days of Willie McGinest. Though his season ended in Week 15 when he tore his quad, the expectation from all parties seemed to be that it would be a no-brainer to bring him back for another season.
Apparently, though, it's not quite that simple.
The Boston Herald's Jeff Howe reported Friday that the two sides are far apart in contract negotiations. Howe reported that while Carter wants to return to the Patriots (so much so that he's turned down offers from other teams), but he wants a three- or four-year deal at a Pro Bowl salary. The team, however, has concerns about a 33-year-old coming off a serious injury, and according to Howe, they want to pay Carter something similar to his $2.75 million salary that he had last year.
Howe also said the team has considered placing Carter on the physically unable to perform list, which would keep him off the field until Week 6, thereby potentially avoiding a late-season injury like last year's.
"The demands are going to come down from each side, but I think it just shows how far apart they're working on each side of the spectrum," Howe said on Toucher & Rich on Friday morning. "This thing, I think everybody believed it was going to be easy. It was like, 'OK, the Patriots are going to medically clear him and then the re-signing is just going to happen. You're going to snap your fingers and there it is.' But it's going to be more complicated than that."
In 14 games last season (though it was really more like 13, considering he was injured in the first quarter of Week 15), Carter recorded 10 sacks, 51 total tackles and two forced fumbles.
Training camp opens on July 25 for players, but right now, it's up in the air as to whether or not Carter will be in Foxborough.
Jeff Howe discussed the Carter situation and more Patriots news on Toucher & Rich:
Gresh & Zo discussed the situation and asked the question, do the Pats need Carter?
