The Boston Globe's Mike Reiss is reporting that free agent wide receiver Randy Moss is close to signing a three-year, $27 million contract with the Patriots.

The signing would bring a huge sigh of relief to Patriots fans, who have watched as three key members of the team signed elsewhere in the first days of free agency. Cornerback Asante Samuel signed with Philadelphia, cornerback Randall Gay with New Orleans and wide receiver Donte Stallworth with Cleveland.

Moss had spent much of the week leading into Super Bowl XLII talking about how much he wanted to return to the Patriots. He caught an NFL-record 23 touchdown passes from Tom Brady in his first season with the team, then had the go-ahead touchdown pass in the waning minutes of the Super Bowl.

But the lack of a contract once free agency started had many fans worried that the Patriots were going to lose Moss.

While nothing is official yet, the Globe, the Boston Herald and ESPN are all reporting that the deal is all but done.

The Patriots made one other signing on Monday, agreeing to a contract with former Buffalo Bills wide receiver Sam Aiken, who is a capable special teams performer.

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