Bill Belichick Shares Statement Following The Release Of Stephen Gostkowski

Robert Alvarez

3 years ago at 6:49 pm ET

Jim Dedmon - USA TODAY Sports

A week after losing their longest tenured player in Tom Brady, the Patriots officially released their second longest on Monday, kicker Stephen Gostkowski.

Head Coach Bill Belichick wrote a special statement praising his starting placekicker of 14 seasons.

Statement from #Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick on Stephen Gostkowski pic.twitter.com/ilv9EUjyf2

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) March 24, 2020

Gostkowski brought stability back to the kicking position after replacing a legend in Adam Vinatieri.

In 2006, Gostkowski was drafted in the fourth round (118th overall) out of the University of Memphis.

A four time Pro Bowl selection, a three-time Super Bowl champion in six appearances, Gostkowski is the Patriots all-time leading scorer and holds an NFL record with 479 consecutive extra points made.

During his Patriots tenure, Gostkowski made 87.4 percent of his field goals, for fifth-best all time.

The Patriots shared a special Gostkowski “thank you” highlight video over social media Wednesday.

By cutting Gostkowski who was set to enter his final season under contract, saves the Patriots $2.64 million in salary-cap space, with $1.4 million in dead money.

After a revolving door at placekicker in 2019 following Gostkowski’s hip injury that ended his season early, the Patriots will be back in the market seeking his replacement in the upcoming April draft.