Mankins Changes Tunes

This time last year, Logan Mankins was holding out and standing firm that he would never resign with the New England Patriots. Now with the lockout looking like it will drag on, long-term, Mankins is considering signing his franchise tag with the New England Patriots which is expected to be $10 million plus. According to CSN New England it appears he might be willing to sign long term as well.

I asked him if he would sign the franchise tender.

“I don’t know,” Mankins replied. “We have a lot of time. We don’t even know if we’ll have a season at this point. I’m hoping they get this resolved before the season so we can play football in time.”CSN New England

What about long term, though? Around this time last year, Mankins was indicating that he’d never re-sign with New England after, he alleged, they reneged on doing a long-term deal with him.

It sounds like the door is open.

“I think about it every now and then but I’m not putting any answers out there yet,” Mankins answered. “We’ll see when we get down that road.”CSN New England

Truthfully, I don’t know why Logan has had this possible change in opinion. Did he and management solve their issues after his return? It’s possible but I don’t think that’s totally it. Personally, I really think it is the lockout.

The lockout is shortening the off season and whenever it’s lifted he’ll have less time to find the best deal on the market. On top of that, many expect the franchise tag to return so if it does will any team is willing to offer up the compensation for an offensive lineman? Not likely.

So the longer this drags on his best move financially would be to return to New England on a one-year deal. It would also be his best choice if he wanted to win another ring as it’s a veteran team who’s played together and already knows the playbook. Unlike other teams they’ll be able to hit the ground running.

Now long-term, I don’t think he’s anywhere close to sold on returning to Foxboro. I think that line was to leave that possibility open, maybe in hopes of getting the Pats to offer a better deal.

There’s just no way all that resentment from last season has gone away that quickly. He’ll take his one year deal and see where things go. If his relationship with management improves then it’s possible for now who knows.

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Tags: Logan Mankins, New England Patriots, NFL