FOXBORO — There has been mutual interest between Kyle Arrington and the Patriots in keeping the cornerback with the team, and contract negotiations won’t be a sure thing.

Arrington is set to be an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career, and his top priority involves remaining with the Pats.

Meanwhile, the Patriots have displayed a desire to keep Arrington around, but the two sides have yet to enter formal contract negotiations. The Pats can exclusively negotiate with Arrington until free agency begins March 12.

Arrington admittedly is coming off an up-and-down season. He tied for the NFL lead with seven interceptions in 2011 but went without a pick this season, though that’s hardly the best barometer of a corner’s value. The 26-year-old did his best work in the slot, particularly when the entire secondary rounded into shape in early December.

“I think throughout the course of any season, there’s going to be highs, lows, ups, downs,” Arrington said. “But I think the main goal is to try to get better individually, collectively as a team. I felt I made some strides. I tried to perform and execute where the coaches see fit to place me.”

Arrington preferred not to label himself as a cornerback who could be restricted to one spot.

“I’m just comfortable on the field, wherever. I just like going out there and playing football,” Arrington said. “It’s a job as a professional to be able to play a full 60-minute game where the coaches place you.”

After joining the Patriots early in 2009, Arrington worked his way from the practice squad to special teams to the starting lineup. Agents Sean Stellato and Richard Kopelman of Klass Sports called it a “best-case scenario” for Arrington to remain with the Pats for the long term.

“Our goal is to keep Kyle here through his time,” Stellato said. “Kyle feels comfortable here. He is proud to be part of a high-profile organization with so much prestige and winning football games. His market value is what it is for a reason. He led the league in interceptions last season.

“In regard to staying in New England, we’re going to do everything to make it happen, but the ball is in their court. We want to make sure he is treated fairly. We want him to stay here, retire here and make this his second home.”

Arrington just completed a two-year contract worth up to $3.275 million, which he signed as an exclusive rights free agent in 2011. The value for No. 2 or No. 3 cornerbacks last offseason was all over the map, with examples including Richard Marshall (three years, $16 million, $6 million guaranteed, from the Miami Dolphins), Stanford Routt (three years, $19.6 million, $4 million guaranteed, from the Houston Texans), Tracy Porter (one year, $4 million, from Denver Broncos), Terrell Thomas (four years, $28 million, $11 million guaranteed, from the New York Giants) and Eric Wright (five years, $38 million, $15.5 million guaranteed, from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers).

The market could unfold differently this offseason with fewer high-profile names leading the class, such as Brandon Carr (Dallas Cowboys) and Cortland Finnegan (St. Louis Rams), who each received a $50 million deal last offseason.

If Arrington is seeking the higher end of that open market, he’ll need to begin an open competition for his services, especially while the Patriots work with fellow cornerback Aqib Talib and wide receiver Wes Welker.

The process, as always, could take some time.

“I’ll let that take care of itself, and it will,” Arrington said. “That’s what you have an agent for. It’s my job to perform on the field like it’s their job to handle this side of the game. We’ll just take it day by day.”

Patriots notes

Defensive lineman Armond Armstead signed a three-year deal worth $1.485 million with the Patriots. The base salaries for the Canadian Football League product will be $405,000 in 2013, $495,000 in ’14 and $585,000 in ’15.