Ace safety Lynch joins the Patriots

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — John Lynch thought he’d end his football career with the Denver Broncos.

Now the veteran safety and nine-time Pro Bowl pick, who spent four seasons with Denver after 11 years with Tampa Bay, has signed with the New England Patriots.

The Patriots did not report terms of the agreement, but the NFL Network said Thursday that Lynch signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract.

Lynch parted ways with the Broncos early in training camp after being told he would no longer be an every-down player. He was contacted by the Patriots, a team he nearly signed with as a free agent in 2004 before selecting the Broncos.

The Patriots need help in the secondary after safety-linebacker Tank Williams had a season-ending knee injury Aug. 7.