NFL Rumors: Patriots sign linebacker Jamie Collins

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We haven't seen the last of Jamie Collins in New England.

UPDATE (Wednesday, May 15 at 5:10 p.m. ET): The Patriots have signed linebacker Jamie Collins for a second stint with the team, NBC Sports Boston's Tom E. Curran has confirmed.

--End of Update--

The Patriots are in talks with the free-agent linebacker and are "likely" to bring him back in 2019, NFL Media's Ian Rapoport reported Wednesday.

New England drafted Collins in the second round in 2013, and the athletic outside linebacker blossomed into a star, earning Pro Bowl honors in 2015. In October 2016, the Patriots abruptly traded Collins to Cleveland, where he spent the next two-plus seasons before Cleveland released him this March.

Rumors that the Patriots may be interested in bringing Collins back surfaced last fall, a year after the Browns signed him to a contract extension.

The 29-year-old's first tenure in New England ended suddenly, but he was a game-changer in the Patriots' defense when used properly, and with former Patriots linebacker Jerod Mayo joining the coaching staff this season, it seems Collins' former club is willing to give him another shot.

QUICK SLANTS: Mayo breaks down Collins' skill set in Patriots' defense

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