ORLANDO -- The Patriots and free-agent defensive end Derrick Burgess are maintaining an open dialogue and if the sides are to strike a deal, it would likely come within the next week or so, according to a source close to the situation.
Patriots coach Bill Belichick said Tuesday morning that the team was still interested in Burgess's return.
Burgess has also heard from a few other clubs and is expected to decide on his future within about seven days. At this point, one would assume any deal for him wouldn't be much north of $1 million per season on a shorter term.
The Patriots, who acquired Burgess from the Oakland Raiders last season for third- and fifth-round draft choices, are thin at the outside linebacker/nickel rusher spot where Burgess lined up for 57.3 percent of the team's snaps last season. Although Burgess didn't have a major impact on the stat sheet, Belichick previously spoke about how he felt he was helping the team and adjusted well to the Patriots' scheme.