Report: Patriots' Shane Vereen hoping to get $5 million per season

Fresh off a Super Bowl championship, New England Patriots running back Shane Vereen is hoping to fetch a contract worth at least $5 million per season in free agency, Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald reports.

Vereen exchanged contract proposals with the Patriots last summer, but the two sides were far apart and it's unclear how much progress has been made since, according to Howe.

Vereen rushed for a career-high 391 yards and two touchdowns on 96 carries last season and set career highs in receptions (52) and receiving yards (447). However, as Howe notes, the Patriots have a history of not rewarding running backs for productive seasons. 

Kevin Faulk's biggest deal with New England was for $15.05 million over six years and Laurence Maroney received $9 million over five years as a first-round pick in 2006. The Patriots were also unwilling to match the two-year, $3.95 million deal LeGarrette Blount received from the Pittsburgh Steelers last year. 

If Vereen is set on getting paid, there's a good chance he'll be hitting the open market come March 10.