The Patriots have yet to offer Randy Moss a contract extension, leaving the 7-time Pro Bowler feeling unwanted in New England.
WR Randy Moss expressed frustration on Monday that, despite three productive seasons with the team, the Patriots have yet to offer him a contract extension.
“When you have done so much and put so much work in, it kind of feels like I am not wanted,” Moss told CBSSports.com. “I am taking that in stride and playing my final year out and whatever the future holds is what it holds, but it is kind of a bad feeling — feeling not wanted. It is not like my production has gone down.” Moss added that his feelings don’t necessarily apply to QB Tom Brady, who is also in the final year of his contract, claiming his comments are from a strictly “individual standpoint”.
Moss is in the final year of the three-year deal he signed with New England in 2007. Since joining the team, he’s accumulated 3,765 receiving yards and 46 TDs. He also recorded the most receiving TDs in NFL history (24) and set the Patriots single-season record for receiving yards (1,493) during the team’s 16-0 season in 2007, Moss’ first year with the team.
Critics have raised concerns with the 33-year-old’s age, but reports out of camp said Moss has looked “magnificent” all summer. Moss, in fact, believes his experience will only make him better going forward.
“I am a little older and understand the nature of the business — the older you get the more your skills supposedly diminish, but I think I am getting wiser in how to use my physical skills,” he said. “That’s the frustrating part when you put so much heart and desire into things and feel like you are not wanted.”
Moss has recorded 14,465 receiving yards (6th all-time) and 148 (2nd all-time) in 12 NFL seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, Oakland Raiders and Patriots. Additionally, the former Marshall standout has been named to 4 All-Pro Teams and 7 Pro Bowls.
Ironically, the Patriots will open their 2010 season on Sept. 12 against Cincinnati and the formidable receiving duo of Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens.