Thanks to the New England Patriots. (photo: CJ Buckwalter, Flickr)
The Pittsburgh Steelers receiver was a restricted free agent this offseason, and the Patriots took a flyer on a bid for Sanders, signing him to a $2.5 million offer sheet. Pittsburgh opted to match the Patriots' offer just before its deadline.
With that, Sanders earned a $1.2 million raise, according to ProFootballTalk.com. The wideout is only under contract for a year, so if he doesn't sign a long-term deal with Pittsburgh, he'll hit the open market and could be partial to a move to New England.
Not a bad deal of a somewhat average skill-position player.
Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger reportedly had been lobbying for Sanders's return, as the fourth-year receiver hauled in more than 600 yards worth of receptions last season for Pittsburgh and looked to be a decent priority for the Steelers given the departure of Mike Wallace to to Miami Dolphins.
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