The Patriots gave Monday as a deadline for guard Logan Mankins to sign his restricted free agent tender, some three months after originally assigning him the first- and third-round tender to the two-time Pro Bowler. Well, Monday is here, and Mankins has not only decided not to sign the tender, but now he's asking to be traded, too.
"At this point, I'm pretty frustrated, from everything that's happened and the way negotiations have gone," Mankins said in a phone interview. "I want to be traded. I don't need to be here any more."
Mankins has until 11:59 p.m. ET to sign his $3.26 million tender. Asked his plans in regard to signing the tender, Mankins said: "There is no way that I'm signing that thing."
Mankins will not be attending the Patriots' mandatory mini-camp which begins on Tuesday, meaning the team can cut his salary to $1.54 million, a fact they informed Mankins of in a letter sent to him late last week (their original tender offer was for $3.268 million).
But for Mankins, it's apparently not just about the money, as he claims he is frustrated with how the team has handled the negation process.
"After the 2008 season, me and my agent approached the Patriots about an extension and I was told that Mr. Kraft did not want to do an extension because of the [uncertain collective bargaining agreement]," Mankins said. "I was asked to play '09 out, and that they would address contract after the uncapped year. I'm a team player, I took them at word, and I felt I played out an undervalued contract."
Mankins, who was drafted by the Patriots in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft, added, "Growing up, I was taught a man's word is his bond. Obviously this isn't the case with the Patriots."
Another wrinkle in his decision to not sign the tender is that the Patriots won't be able to fine him for missing mini-camp or training camp, and Mankins would not be subject to the 30-day rule (if under contract, "he’d have to report by Aug. 13, 30 days prior to the regular-season opener, to accrue the year toward free agency"). Mankins has until Week 10 to sign, otherwise he'll lose an accrued season toward free agency.
Expect more reaction at our Patriots blog, Pats Pulpit.