A second stint of catching passes for the New England Patriots appears to be over before it even begins for tight end Benjamin Watson.
On Monday, the 4pm deadline to activate Watson from his roster exemption expired, formally making him a free agent. The decision was first reported by ESPN Boston’s Mike Reiss.
Watson missed the first four games of 2019 due to a suspension for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing drug policy and was inactive for the Patriots week five victory over the Washington Redskins.
On Monday, during an interview with WEEI’s Ordaway, Merloni and Fauria program, head coach Bill Belichick was asked what factored into the decision to move on from Watson.
“Just don’t have a roster spot,” Belichick told WEEI. “We only have so many roster spots. If we put somebody on, we have to take somebody off. Right now, there wasn’t a roster spot. We didn’t feel like there was somebody we could create a roster spot with. Everybody came out of the game healthy. We have a decent team. So I think that’s where we’re at.”
Watson acknowledged the Patriots decision over Twitter and thanked the organization for the opportunity.
The God of victory is also God in failure. I gave my all, but it was not enough to earn a spot on the @Patriots roster. I’m beyond disappointed but even more upset for my family who has supported me with all the love a husband and father could ask for.They are my heroes. Rom 8:28
— Benjamin Watson (@BenjaminSWatson) October 7, 2019
A few teammates shared their disappointment over the news, quarterback Tom Brady shared his reaction during his Tuesday morning press conference.
“A lot of guys I have played with, I have played with a lot of guys over the years and Ben is a great player. He has been a great player for this team, other teams. He has had an incredible career. Hopefully he can keep playing. I know he was looking forward to playing.
“I’ll miss him. He was right next to me. For as great of a player he was, he was 10 times a better person. Just the highest integrity. I can’t say enough good things about Ben and what he’s meant to me and my family, our team. We’re going to miss him.”
“Ben is just a great person to be around,” veteran cornerback Jason McCourty said Monday. “Football aside, a guy who is strong in his faith, mature, a father of seven, so a lot to learn from him from that standpoint.”
You too. Thanks for being so kind to my boys
— Benjamin Watson (@BenjaminSWatson) October 7, 2019
Watson’s departure leaves Matt LaCosse and Ryan Izzo as the only tight ends on the Patriots roster.
Izzo hauled in his first career touchdown pass on Sunday.
By not activating Watson, the Patriots created roughly $2 million in cap space ahead of the October 29th trade deadline.
Now a free agent, Watson intends to continue his NFL career and forgo any retirement plans for the immediate future.
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