Running back Dion Lewis of the New England Patriots is set to hit NFL free agency as one of the more intriguing players available at his position. He has an opportunity in front of him to become one of the most targeted players for any team that is looking to upgrade in the backfield next season.

Following a highly productive 2017 season, Lewis has put himself in the position to cash in with a lucrative deal in free agency that could potentially see him playing elsewhere. During a recent interview on The Adam Schefter Podcast, he made it clear that he wants to work things out to stay in New England is well aware that scenario may not play out in that fashion. (h/t Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk)

“I hope it can work out, but at the same time I’m not putting all my eggs in one basket,” Lewis said. “I know how the team likes to handle their business and as a running back you have to make the most of your opportunity. Me being the player I am, my main thing is you have to go out there next year and show people what type of player I can be. I still think I can improve from this past year, so my main thing is just making sure that I’m valued. That’s my biggest thing, make sure that I’m valued the way I value myself. That would be the biggest thing for me.”

The Patriots have developed a strong reputation for not exactly paying players top dollar on deals. Lewis has a chance secure a deal on the open market that should pay him well above the two-year, $2.6 million contract that he has just competed with New England.

The 27-year-old is a unique talent that has shown that he can be both a factor in the running game and a receiver out of the backfield when he is healthy. He could step in as the clear-cut starter with another team that is in need of a workhorse running back where could expand on that ability in a greater capacity.

All of this may just simply come down to whether if he's willing to take less than what he feels he's worth to stay with the Patriots. If not, Lewis could easily be suiting up in another uniform in 2018.