edelman.jpg

Julian Edelman

(AP)

Contract negotiations between the New England Patriots and Julian Edelman are intensfying as the start of free agency inches closer.

The Patriots are making a strong push to retain the wide receiver entering the final 24 hours of the legal tampering period. If a deal is not reached first, Edelman will be free to sign with another team beginning Tuesday at 4 p.m.

It is not known how close the two sides are in negotiations. There is mutual interest in striking a deal, though the market will likely decide if Edelman, who is believed to have plenty of interest from other teams, returns.

Edelman, 27, played all 16 games for the first time in his career last season and finished with 105 receptions for 1,056 yards and six touchdowns.

He returned to New England last offseason on a one-year deal worth a little more than $1 million.