According to ESPNBoston.com writer Field Yates, the New England Patriots have agreed to terms with right tackle Sebastian Vollmer on Sunday.
Originally drafted by the Patriots in the second-round of the 2009 NFL draft, Vollmer has 51 regular season games and 44 starts under his belt, including all but one in 2012. An offseason knee procedure kept talks with Vollmer, rated as the No. 6 best free agent tackle according to ESPN's free agency chart, relatively quiet around the league.
The move may also accelerate negotiations with Andre Smith, who remains unsigned as an unrestricted free agent and arguably one of the top offensive tackles available in free agency. Cincinnati hasn't made it a secret that they've prioritized Smith throughout the offseason, but it's unknown how close the two sides are in regards to a deal.
One report several weeks ago stated that Smith was looking at a contract in the neighborhood of $9 million per season, which would top what Jake Long received from the St. Louis Rams last weekend.
Vollmer's agreement is unknown, but could have a significant baring on Smith and his agent Ben Dogra.