Lineback Bruschi To Return To Patriots In 2008, And Possibly Beyond

The New England Patriots and unrestricted free agent inside linebacker Tedy Bruschi have agreed to a verbal deal that will keep him with the team for his 13th season. Terms of the deal have not been announced, but John Clayton is reporting that it may be a multiyear deal.

Bruschi joined the Patriots as a 3rd round pick out of Arizona in 1996, and was named the 2005 NFL Comeback Player of the Year, for his performance after coming back and playing after he had surgery to repair a tiny hole in his heart following a mild stroke. He led the Patriots in tackles in 2007, after a sub-par 2006 season in which most of the Patriots linebacking core was derided for being old and slow. He will turn 35 this June, so if this does turn out to be a multiyear deal, it will probabl be for a maximum of 2 or 3 years.