Patriots Player Departure Pats cut Antonio Gibson

[Grogan14]

They released him now so he could have a better chance of getting picked up by another team

 

[Mack Herron]

Raw deal.

 

[n1997y]

Makes sense. I am a liiiiiiitle surprised just because the savings are pretty immaterial and there was no guarantee trigger so I figured it might be a situation where they just brought him to camp and see how he looked.

I read it as respecting him by letting him hit the market early instead of tying him up if they were likely to move on.

 

[Ring 6]

Too bad. Before his injury, he was arguably playing like the Patriots' best RB.

I get it though. He most likely wouldn't be the same player this year after his injury and he does save over $3 million against the cap.

Doesn't prevent them from signing him back later in the offseason for less money.

? His best game was 28 yards.

 

[mgteich]

We need two types of RB's in addition to Stevenson and Henderson: a FB and a short yardage back. A young prospect could make the roster, but the need is in these two roles.

 

[Ross12]

This signals to me that they may be in the free agent RB market. They want to sign a player to fill a particular role that Gibson doesn’t fill, and as such Gibson doesn’t really have a place. Releasing him also frees up some cap dollars for his replacement.

Notable FAs:
- Travis Etienne
- Breece Hall
- Kenneth Walker
- Najee Harris
- Rico Dowdle
- Tyler Allgeier
- Isiah Pacheco
- Kenneth Gainwell
- Rachaad White
- Jerome Ford
- Julius Chestnut

 

[Wozzy]

He was only signed through this season and coming off knee surgery will not be right until maybe next season. Good player, but the timing of the injury and contract are a factor.

 

[mike_usagisan]

That's a shame. I liked Gibson and think he was a solid running back.

 

[Dec54]

That's a shame. I liked Gibson and think he was a solid running back.

Sorry to see him go. but it's a business as we are always being told..

 

[DaBruinz]

This signals to me that they may be in the free agent RB market. They want to sign a player to fill a particular role that Gibson doesn’t fill, and as such Gibson doesn’t really have a place. Releasing him also frees up some cap dollars for his replacement.

Notable FAs:
- Travis Etienne
- Breece Hall
- Kenneth Walker
- Najee Harris
- Rico Dowdle
- Tyler Allgeier
- Isiah Pacheco
- Kenneth Gainwell
- Rachaad White
- Jerome Ford
- Julius Chestnut

Not necessarily. They have Lan Larison coming back. And there is the draft.. They may not be looking at a Free Agent RB at all.

 

[Steve102]

I like the player, but this is what younger and cheaper means. He's not the only one that won't be here come opening day.

 

[n1997y]

Not necessarily. They have Lan Larison coming back. And there is the draft.. They may not be looking at a Free Agent RB at all.

Good point. This may also be that Larison’s recovery is going well, and they just don’t want to keep two injured RBs. Also the timing of the injuries. Larison was injured before the season so he will be ready to go before Gibson.

 

[DaBruinz]

Good point. This may also be that Larison’s recovery is going well, and they just don’t want to keep two injured RBs. Also the timing of the injuries. Larison was injured before the season so he will be ready to go before Gibson.

Larison's injury was a broken foot that required surgery. That's a lot different than an ACL injury. I expect Larison to be good to go for Mini-camps. Gibson might be ready for Training Camp, but he's not likely to be the dynamic player we saw.

Vrabel's staff liked what they was in Terrell Jennings., but he's built more like Stevenson than Gibson and definitely can be improved upon.

Mitchell is pretty good catching the ball out of the backfield. The problem is he has zero kick return experience in the NFL and I don't believe he did any in college either.

With the plethora of picks that the Pats have, I would expect a RB to be drafted on Day 3. Someone who can catch the ball, but also has kick return experience.

 

[n1997y]

Agree. By now they should know enough to tell if Larison is a lock to be on the field in camp. IMO It’s a real good bet Gibson won’t be. And they’ll draft or sign UDFA RB as well.

It’s said players don’t lose their job because of injury, but Gibson became superfluous because of his injury.

Larison's injury was a broken foot that required surgery. That's a lot different than an ACL injury. I expect Larison to be good to go for Mini-camps. Gibson might be ready for Training Camp, but he's not likely to be the dynamic player we saw.

Vrabel's staff liked what they was in Terrell Jennings., but he's built more like Stevenson than Gibson and definitely can be improved upon.

Mitchell is pretty good catching the ball out of the backfield. The problem is he has zero kick return experience in the NFL and I don't believe he did any in college either.

With the plethora of picks that the Pats have, I would expect a RB to be drafted on Day 3. Someone who can catch the ball, but also has kick return experience.

 

[mgteich]

A grizzled veteran who is good in short yardage situations should be available in free agency for a reasonable cost. Age doesn't matter. Sign him for 2-3 years and cut him when can no longer play (see Gibson).

 

[VJCPatriot]

Maybe the Patriots will kick the tires on Chubb now. If they don't a mid round pick on a RB wouldn't be a bad idea. RBs have such a limited shelf life in this league.

 

[Zuma]

A grizzled veteran who is good in short yardage situations should be available in free agency for a reasonable cost. Age doesn't matter. Sign him for 2-3 years and cut him when can no longer play (see Gibson).

He may know a few...

 

[PatsFan2]

Maybe the Patriots will kick the tires on Chubb now. If they don't a mid round pick on a RB wouldn't be a bad idea. RBs have such a limited shelf life in this league.

No thanks Chubbs looks like he's on that RB Cliff.

 

[PatsFan2]

This signals to me that they may be in the free agent RB market. They want to sign a player to fill a particular role that Gibson doesn’t fill, and as such Gibson doesn’t really have a place. Releasing him also frees up some cap dollars for his replacement.

Notable FAs:
- Travis Etienne
- Breece Hall
- Kenneth Walker
- Najee Harris
- Rico Dowdle
- Tyler Allgeier
- Isiah Pacheco
- Kenneth Gainwell
- Rachaad White
- Jerome Ford
- Julius Chestnut

Rico Dowdle had quite a year I like if he's available. Rac White would be a nice consolation.

 

[Ross12]

Not necessarily. They have Lan Larison coming back. And there is the draft.. They may not be looking at a Free Agent RB at all.

Could be, but I have a hard time thinking they're just in love with Larison. But I could be wrong.