FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- When the New England Patriots signed wide receiver Kenny Britt to a two-year contract on Dec. 13, there didn't seem to be a major question on Britt's chances to stick around for the second year in 2018. The team just had to exercise a $150,000 option bonus to kick in the second year, and Britt has recently been informed of the team's intention to do so (first reported by NFL Network).
Outside of the $150,000, the Patriots have no other financial obligation to Britt, which made picking up the bonus a no-brainer.
Britt's return has sparked some questions on what that mean for others.
Mike, what's the word on Dola? with Britt coming back, that would give us 7 WR's possibly..can't see that happening, right? Edelman, Cooks, Hogan, Mitchell, Britt, Dola? and Slater
— WISE (@BostonPBW) March 6, 2018
My opinion is that Britt's return shouldn't have an impact on Danny Amendola (an unrestricted free agent) and his potential return. With rosters expanding to 90 players at the start of the league year on March 14, there is ample space for a large contingent at the position. It is quality depth.
Patriots receivers currently under contract for 2018 include Brandin Cooks, Julian Edelman, Chris Hogan, Phillip Dorsett, Malcolm Mitchell, Britt, Bernard Reedy, Cody Hollister and Riley McCarron. Edelman is coming back from a torn ACL and Mitchell missed the 2017 season because of a knee injury.