If Danny Amendola didn’t keep negotiating his contract, he’d likely be retired or with a different football team.

The New England Patriots receiver signed a rich deal with the team for five years and $31 million in 2013. But the wide receiver took a pay cut for the third consecutive offseason with hopes of staying in New England

“I love playing for this city; I love playing for this team; I love the atmosphere Coach [Belichick] brings when we walk into the building every day,” he said, via ESPN.com. “I want to play good football, and I feel like this is the place where I’ll be able to challenge myself and play the best football I can.”

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Amendola, 31, has played as a slot receiver for most of his career. He’s racked up 365 receptions for 3,450 yards and 17 touchdowns. In nine NFL seasons, he’s played for the Rams and won two Super Bowls with the Patriots.

But that’s not enough for Amendola.

“I want to play football for some more time. I’m not done yet,” Amendola said, via ESPN, when asked a second time if he had considered retirement. “Wherever that may be, whatever it is, wherever it is. I want to play football at a high level. This is where it’s going to be, so I love it here. I’m going to try to make this team and try to fulfill my role, whatever that may be. Try to expand my role, whatever that may be. Try to be here for my teammates and try to win games. That’s why I am here.”

While he originally figured to be a starter with the Patriots, he’s taken a backseat to players like Julian Edelman, Chris Hogan and now Brandin Cooks over the last few years. Amendola played just 24 percent of offensive snaps in 2016 during the regular season, but was hugely efficient when he was on the field. He finished with 23 receptions for 243 yards and four touchdown receptions.

The Patriots have eased him into action in training camp thus far, as he’s been mostly a limited participant and has not gotten a large workload. That will likely continue through the preseason and into the regular season, so New England can preserve Amendola’s health in the event of a postseason run.

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