Emmanuel Sanders' agent says client almost signed with Patriots

Playing in the Denver Broncos' pass-happy offense is as good as it gets for a wide receiver. 

Emmanuel Sanders has flourished in his first season with the club, catching 47 passes for 634 yards and four touchdowns and has established a strong rapport with Peyton Manning.

Although it may seem unfathomable now, Sanders could have been catching passes from another AFC-based legend: Tom Brady.

"Emmanuel loved it there," Sanders' agent Steve Weinberg said to CSN New England's Tom Curran. "He said, 'Give me Danny Amendola's deal and I'm there.'

Sanders signed an $18 million deal over three years, with $6 million in guarantees. It sharply contrasts what Amendola received from the Patriots the previous offseason, as New England's struggling wide receiver signed for $28.5 million over five years, with $10 million guaranteed. 

Amendola hasn't come close to matching the value of the deal and has caught a mere five passes for 42 yards and a touchdown.

"New England was competitive throughout the process. Had they been aggressive from the beginning it would have gotten done, but, in this market, nobody knew what to do with the wide receivers."

The Patriots opted to re-sign Julian Edelman to a four-year, $17 million contract.

Sanders had spent the first four years of his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers before becoming a free agent. 

Denver's offense is rolling through the league and with a 6-1 record. One would have to believe that Sanders is quite happy with his decision.