The Facts: As for the Patriots current free agents to be, Lewis plans to test free agency. The early vibe is that he'll be playing elsewhere.

Diehards Line: So wrote Herald staffer Jeff Howe, who added Lewis will want something comparable to a three-year, $18 million deal with $10 million guaranteed to avoid free agency. Don’t expect a hometown discount. Lewis took over the lead role midyear and took off to hit free agency this season with his healthiest, most productive NFL campaign while Mike Gillislee and Rex Burkhead battled injuries. James White remains one of the best pass-receiving backs in the game and joins FB James Develin as the only two backs certain to return in 2018. The Patriots invested more in the position this year than is typical and may not extend to keep Lewis. ... We'll be watching this one closely.