Danny Amendola on Future with Patriots: 'I Don't Want to Leave'

Veteran wide receiver Danny Amendola said Tuesday that he wants to return to the New England Patriots in 2018.

Speaking to students at Bryant University, Amendola said the following about his immediate NFL future, according to ESPN.com's Mike Reiss: "I'm a free agent this year, so let's say—the unknown. We'll see what happens. I definitely want to be here. To tell you the truth, I don't want to leave. But it's a business. I've learned that."

Amendola has spent the past five seasons with the Pats, but he can hit free agency this offseason.

With Julian Edelman missing the entire 2017 season due to a knee injury, Amendola was quarterback Tom Brady's primary option out of the slot.

He finished the campaign with 61 receptions for 659 yards and two touchdowns.

The 32-year-old Amendola truly stepped up in the playoffs, though, as he registered 26 grabs for 348 yards and two scores in three postseason games.

That included a two-touchdown performance in New England's AFC Championship Game win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, and eight receptions for 152 yards in the Super Bowl LII loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Prior to the 2017 season, Amendola restructured his contract to free up $4.75 million in salary cap space for the Patriots, per Spotrac.

While Amendola has long been a valuable and versatile player for New England, the receiver position is set to be crowded in 2018.

Edelman, Brandin Cooks, Chris Hogan, Phillip Dorsett, Malcolm Mitchell and Kenny Britt are among the wideouts set to be under contract with the Patriots next season.

Based on Amendola's sure-handedness and the fact that he contributes on special teams as a punt returner, though, there will be plenty of incentive for head coach Bill Belichick to find a spot on the roster for the two-time Super Bowl champion.