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Rolling Stone Writer: Aaron Hernandez Will Have Suitors In NFL

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The author of a bombshell Aaron Hernandez profile in Rolling Stone believes the former New England Patriots tight end, indicted on a first-degree murder charge in the shooting death of semi-pro player Odin Lloyd, will be back in the NFL "within three or four years."

And he says Hernandez will have his share of suitors.

"I think (the case) is not only beatable, (but) I think he will be back in the NFL within three or four years," Rolling Stone contributing editor Paul Solotaroff told CBS Sports Radio host Doug Gottlieb on Wednesday. "I think they've grossly overcharged him based on the case they're building – no direct eyewitness, no murder weapon (and) no plausible motive."

READ MORE & LISTEN THE INTERVIEW HERE

Rolling Stone this week released a story, written by Solotaroff, that traced Hernandez's path from troubled youth to troubled college player to troubled pro – all the way to a troubled man facing murder and weapons charges. Hernandez has pleaded not guilty across the board.

"His principle nemesis at this point is likely to be the five gun charges levied against him; I think they got him dead to right on most of those," Solotaroff said. "But as crazy as it sounds, this is a guy with no priors. So asking a judge to sentence Hernandez to consecutive prison bids – rather than contemporary ones – is going to be a very hard sell for the prosecution. And if in fact he winds up doing three years behind (bars for) those gun charges – which would be a lot in this case – he's 26, 27, with very low mileage on those legs of his and a lot of time to heal up."

Here's the money quote from Solotaroff: "My sources tell me there will be more than one NFL team pursuing him hotly when he walks out of jail in four years."

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