That’s a good question. Wendell is in a contract year. He was a little bumpy at the start but overall I think he’s a solid B+ center who has the right playing temperament. I think they should probably be able to work something out with him because it’s unlikely the market will bear out much better than what the Pats will offer.
The question is Connolly. 2014 is the last year of his deal and he’ll carry a $4 million cap hit. Like Wendell, he had a bumpy start but has settled in and stayed heathy. Just not sure there’s a viable plan B unless they really want to try to make an upgrade in free agency.
Solder/Mankins/Vollmer/Cannon are entrenched. If they re-sign Wendell, keep Connolly they should still target interior linemen in the draft. Really I wouldn’t rule it out in the first round if the talent is there.
