Patriots looking to extend Chris Hogan’s contract

According to Jeff Howe of The Athletic, the Patriots have talked about a contract extension for wide receiver Chris Hogan, though the two sides are far enough apart that nothing appears imminent.

Hogan is entering the final year of the three-year, $12 million deal he signed in 2016 to leave the Bills as a restricted free agent. He’s scheduled to make $3 million this season. He caught 34 passes for 439 yards and five touchdowns last season, but figures to play a bigger role early on this year with Julian Edelman suspended for the team’s first four games.

Chris Hogan and the Patriots have had negotiations regarding a contract extension, but the two sides remain a bit too far apart at the early stages of the process, per source. Doesn’t mean they can’t make up ground in the coming weeks. But again, the process is ongoing.

— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) August 16, 2018

With both Cooks and Amendola gone to free agency in addition to Edelman’s absence for four games due to a suspension, Hogan has an opportunity to prove that he deserves a more lucrative extension over the first month of the season. With Edelman as the only wide receiver signed past this season, this wil be a great opportunity for the Patriots to lock up another weapon for next year if both sides can agree on the extension. The first month will be interesting to see how Hogan can produce.