Lengel played 24 combined snaps in 3 playoff games on offense as the #2 TE and the only other TE on the roster besides Bennett. He saw 0 targets.
Gronk would/will be the first ever NFL player to come back to the game after third back surgery. (btw - they were extra careful with him this year already in preseason, still caught a hammy, basically stayed out of first 4 games, played 4, got hurt vs Seattle, returned briefly vs Jets, went on IR). At the moment it is certainly uncertain when he will return and in what capacity.. The moves at TE position in next weeks could tell us part of the story.
Housler spent entire 2016 season on the street as a FA despite teams in need of a TE. The last time he was relatively productive was in Arizona 2013.
These are the only 3 TEs signed at the moment. (Lengel actually still needs to be signed as ERFA)
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In 2016 TC Pats had healthy Gronk (at the beginning at least), Bennett, Harbor, Derby - these four they carried to original 53 roster - plus reportedly interesting prospects in Scheu, Pascoe, B Williams.
Ironically there are more Pats 2016 TEs on the current Broncos roster than here (Derby, Scheu; they also have Traylor who was first added to Pats PS)
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So yes, from the “plethora of riches“ at the TE position to start the season and the best (“unstoppable“) TE duo the game has ever seen . if we take Bennett will go . only ruins remain. (and I can only agree that the currently mysterious status of M Williams doesn't matter much)
Don't get me wrong, Im not worried, just curious how the TE story plays out this offseason..