Patriots To Host Free-Agent DE Chris Long For Visit
By Matt Dolloff, CBS Boston
BOSTON (CBS) -- The New England Patriots remain busy looking at free agents and on Monday they plan to meet with arguably the most high-profile name they have looked at so far, defensive end Chris Long. Trey Wingo of ESPN tweeted the news late Sunday night. It was reported on Friday that the Patriots are interested in the eight-year veteran, who turns 31 on March 28.
Long said in a recent interview: "I want to go to a team that's going to be in the playoffs ... It's all about football and winning for me." The Patriots would certainly qualify in the "contender" department, but Long has also visited the Washington Redskins, who are coming off a playoff berth with their quarterback locked up long-term, and the Dallas Cowboys, who could return to contender status with Tony Romo and Dez Bryant healthy for a full season, and the Atlanta Falcons, who started last season 6-1 before dropping off in the second half.
SEE ALSO: NFL Free Agency Tracker
It's unclear how Long would define "a team that's going to be in the playoffs," but the Patriots currently have more cap space than the other teams Long has visited, according to Spotrac. The Redskins and Falcons, with about $16.8 million and $14.5 million in cap space, respectively, could feasibly outbid a conservative offer from New England.
Should the Patriots sign Long, the former No. 2 overall draft pick would join a crowded, talented defensive end corps with Chandler Jones, Jabaal Sheard, and Rob Ninkovich leading the way, and recent draft picks Geneo Grissom and Trey Flowers still in the mix. This could leave Jones, Sheard, and Ninkovich all candidates to be either restructured or moved in the near future.
Matt Dolloff is a writer for CBSBostonSports.com. His opinions do not necessarily reflect that of CBS or 98.5 The Sports Hub. Have a news tip or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff and email him at mdolloff@985thesportshub.com.
