After the Patriots traded for offensive tackle Trent Brown last week, it seemed like a sign free agent Joe Thuney would not be returning.
Not so fast.
According to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated, following the Brown deal the lines of communication between Thuney's camp and the Patriots have reopened and the Patriots have said they would like to keep him.
With that being said, it remains unclear if a deal will actually happen, and it's hard to see it working out.
Thuney is the best guard on the market and seems primed to get a massive deal. It doesn't feel like the Patriots will match any offer considering their offensive line is in good shape even without Thuney being part of it. The team also still needs to look to bring back center David Andrews, who will cost less than Thuney.
By placing the franchise tag on him last year at this time and not really ever getting close to a long-term extension, it seemed the writing was on the wall for him not to return in 2021.
That really hasn't changed.