The Patriots tendered Mankins, 28, at the highest level, which would pay him $3.268 million (non-guaranteed) this season; had he agreed to an offer sheet from another team, the Patriots would have received first- and third-round draft picks.
Last night at 11:59 was the deadline for Mankins to sign his tender and receive the full salary amount tendered.
Mankins, who had not been heard from since the season ended, claimed the team misled him about doing a new contract.
“After the 2008 season, me and my agent approached the Patriots about an extension and I was told that Mr. Kraft did not want to do an extension because of the [NFL labor situation],’’ Mankins said. “I was asked to play ’09 out, and that they would address the contract during the uncapped year. I’m a team player, I took them at their word, and I felt I played out an undervalued contract.
“Right now, this is about principle with me and keeping your word and how you treat people. This is what I thought the foundation of the Patriots was built on. Apparently, I was wrong. Growing up, I was taught a man’s word is his bond. Obviously this isn’t the case with the Patriots.’’
In an e-mail, the two-time Pro Bowler confirmed to the Globe he wants to be traded but offered no further comment.
The situation was turned up another notch when the Globe learned the Patriots made a fair-market offer to Mankins.
According to an NFL source, a five-year deal worth approximately $7 million per year has been on the table “for a significant amount of time,’’ which would have placed Mankins among the top five highest-paid players at his position.
There was no word on how much guaranteed money was in the offer or what the contract structure was; in NFL deals, compensation is most important within the first three years, since players are almost certain to see that money.
