Former Patriots WR Chris Hogan To Pursue Career In Premier Lacrosse League

Over the course of his NFL career, wide receiver Chris Hogan became apart of a running joke every time a television broadcast team would mention he played lacrosse in college instead of football, now it appears he is going back to his roots.

On Saturday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Hogan has declared for the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) 2021 Entry Draft.

After finishing his lacrosse career at Penn State University where he was a First-Team All-ECAC selection and captain, Hogan decided to play one season of football at Monmouth University in New Jersey. As it turns out, he would do well enough on the gridiron to earn a spot on the San Francisco 49ers practice squad in 2011 after going undrafted.

Following his stint with the 49ers, Hogan made two additional practice squad stops with the New York Giants and the Miami Dolphins before a breakout opportunity with the Buffalo Bills in 2013. He would go on to see action in every regular season game for the Bills over the next three years, averaging a career high 38.5 receptions in both 2014 and 2015.

A free agent heading into 2016, Hogan signed a three-year contract with the Patriots and would contribute to all three Super Bowl runs from 2016-2018, winning two rings in that span.

During his Patriots tenure, Hogan caught 141 passes for 2,193 yards and 16 touchdowns over a combined 49 regular and postseason games.

Arguably Hogan’s signature moment with the Patriots came during the 2016 AFC Championship when he hauled in a flea-flicker from Tom Brady for a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

However in the time since his run with New England concluded following the 2018 season, Hogan has battled injuries the past two years and would see action in just 12 total games.

Hogan signed a one-year deal with the Carolina Panthers in 2019, playing in seven games with one lone start. His latest team, the New York Jets, waived him in December 2020 after landing on injured reserve with a high ankle sprain in October.

Likely now out of options in the NFL, the 33-year old Hogan will attempt a to restart his career as a professional lacrosse player, coming full circle a decade later.

If Hogan’s NFL career is in fact over, he’ll finish with 216 receptions for 2,795 yards and 18 touchdowns in 100 games.

Hogan would confirm Schefter’s report over Twitter Saturday afternoon.

I have signed with @premierlacrosse for the 2021 season. As many of you know, my roots are in lacrosse, and I’m excited to fight for a roster spot with the best in the world! #LFG

— Chris Hogan (@ChrisHogan_15) February 13, 2021