John Lynch and the Broncos are to be united again.
This time, it will be on a Monday Night Football game, Oct. 20, at Gillette Stadium, where the Broncos will play Lynch's new team, the New England Patriots.
Bill Belichick, the Patriots' head coach, addressed the Lynch situation at his press conference Thursday. Belichick confirmed he met with Lynch on Wednesday and that the 16th year NFL safety took a physical. All that remains is Lynch's signature on his contract.
"It doesn't surprise me,'' said Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey. "The Patriots always have a role for veteran players.''
Lynch, 36, played the previous four seasons as the Broncos' free safety but asked for his release five days into training camp. In doing so, Lynch walked away from a one-year, $2 million contract that would have guaranteed him $500,000 even if he was cut.
Reduced playing time - Lynch was told he would come out in nickel and packages - was one reason why the veteran safety wanted out, but he also may have been concerned about the Broncos more pronounced movement towards younger players.
In recent years, Lynch has frequently talked glowingly about how the Patriots have set the NFL standard for success. Like the Oakland Raiders of the 1980s, the Patriots have not been shy about acquiring aging players who were once considered among the best at their position. Last season, the Patriots started safety Rodney Harrison and linebacker Junior Seau.
Harrison is still with the Patriots so there's a chance Lynch, a nine-time Pro Bowler at safety, would be used in a linebacker-type role.
"He still hits like a linebacker,'' Bailey said.
