The Facts: According to ESPN.com's Mike Reiss, the fact that Amendola wasn't cut at the start of the 2017 league year is a good indication of how the Patriots are leaving the door open if he'd like to return at a lower salary, which would mark the third straight offseason that Amendola has accepted a reduced contract.

Diehards Line: Reiss went on to note that one of the follow-up questions after the Patriots acquired Brandin Cooks in a trade from the New Orleans Saints was what that meant for Amendola, and it seems clear that the door is still open for him in New England if he wants to walk through it. Amendola is scheduled to earn a base salary of $6 million in 2017, which will be reduced based on his projected role (No. 4-5 receiver) if he is going to remain on the club.