If he sticks around the NFL a few more years, wide receiver Dedric Ward might complete an unusual cycle, and actually play for every franchise in the AFC East before he retires.

The six-year veteran, an unrestricted free agent, signed a one-year contract with the New England Patriots on Thursday afternoon. The Pats thus become the third different team in the AFC East for whom Ward will have played, following stints with the New York Jets (1997-2000) and the Miami Dolphins (2001-2002).

	Ward

Details of the contract were not yet available, but it is believed that Ward, 28, will earn a base salary of $530,000, the NFL minimum for a player of his tenure. Ward had garnered some interest from Washington officials several weeks ago, but declined a request to work out for the team before beginning negotiations.

The Patriots, who have been seeking to add another veteran wide receiver to the mix, had ironically spoken earlier in the signing period with Oronde Gadsden, another Miami free agent. New England officials also visited a few weeks ago with Detroit Lions unrestricted free agent Germane Crowell.

While he should provide New England with more flexibility, and an experienced return man as well, Ward is coming off two fairly unproductive seasons in Miami.

Playing for the Jets, he posted his best NFL campaign in 2000, catching 54 passes for 801 yards and three touchdowns. He signed with Miami in 2001, but started just two games in two seasons, and had 40 receptions for 301 yards and no touchdowns.

A former Northern Iowa standout, Ward was chosen by the Jets in the third round of the '97 draft.

For his career, Ward has 159 catches for 2,196 yards and 11 touchdowns. He has returned 106 punts for an 8.4-yard average. Ward has appeared in 88 games and started 31 games.

Len Pasquarelli is a senior writer for ESPN.com.