Patriots news & rumors: Gilmore’s contract game; Davante Adams watch

As New England Patriots training camp gets underway, one big surprise was Stephon Gilmore showing up for camp while negotiating a new contract with the team.

With the two sides seemingly far apart on any sort of contract extension Gilmore feels he is worth, there was much speculation as to whether the star cornerback would hold out of camp after he sat out both OTA and minicamp.

Does Stephon Gilmore now have all the leverage on the Patriots?

While Gilmore reporting to camp would appear to be positive news, he could also be showing up so he won’t get fined.  According to ESPN’s Field Yates, Gilmore was placed on the PUP list as it appears he is still recovering from a quad injury that ended his 2020 NFL season prematurely.

Is that really it? Or is it more leverage for Gilmore against the Patriots?

If he remains on the PUP list throughout camp, he will be eligible to remain on the list for the first six weeks of the season.  With that, Gilmore could be telling the team if he plays at all in 2021 for $7 million, he will only play $7 million worth of games.

Hopefully, that is not the case, but it seems to take any sort of trade off the table…at least while he is still on the PUP list.

In the meantime, Bill Belichick and the Patriots must focus on improving the roster in other areas.

NFL rumors: Patriots keeping an eye on Davante Adams?

Speaking of contract situations, what is going with the Green Bay Packers and their top two stars?

With Aaron Rodgers basically threatening retirement, the Packers No. 1 receiver Davante Adams is looking to get paid and holding out till he gets his money.

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According to NFL Insider Ian Rapoport, the Packers and Adams have broken off long-term contract extension talks as the 28-year-old wide receiver wants to be paid like the stud he is.

Would a demand for a trade be next for Adams?

Naturally, the New England Patriots should keep an eye on this situation.  Any team not salivating over a player who torched the 2020 NFL season with 115 receptions for 1,374 yards and 18 touchdowns is a crazy team, especially a team starving for a No. 1 receiver.

But what does Bill Belichick have to offer the Packers for Adams?

The Patriots certainly have the draft capital, and they would also be able to unload a couple young players in N’Keal Harry and Sonny Michel who could be thrown into any package to sweeten the deal.

At this point, any ideal of Davante Adams in a New England Patriots uniform seem like a fan fantasy on overdrive, but these type of contract situations that can lead a star out of their current situation.  With what is going on with one of the NFL’s premiere quarterbacks in Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay has suddenly become a place a bit stingy with the green.

Ironically, a coach and team known to be stingy with the dough could be the ideal fit for Adams.