The New England Patriots may face the potential loss of several key players who were vital to their Super Bowl run last season.
Tight end Austin Hooper, who is set to become a free agent, could be on the move after spending the last two years with the team. ESPN's Patriots reporter Mike Reiss identified Hooper as one of New England's free agents likely to seek new opportunities.
"TE Austin Hooper. The veteran entering his 11th NFL season was reliable during the past two years in New England, but with Hunter Henry, 31, as TE1, the Patriots likely want to get younger behind him," Reiss wrote on Friday.
Hooper didn’t have the greatest production this past season, finishing with just 263 receiving yards and two scores, but he was a nice option for Drake Maye to throw to on critical third-and-fourth downs.
The 31-year-old tight end has been in the NFL since 2016, and this offseason could be one of his last opportunities to secure a solid contract.
New England should consider passing on re-signing Hooper and possibly upgrading the No. 2 tight end position. It might also want to look into signing free-agent tight end Isaiah Likely from the Baltimore Ravens.
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