New England Patriots Tender Exclusive Rights Tight End Matt Lengel
The New England Patriots will bring back backup tight end Matt Lengel for the 2017 NFL season.
With the start of free agency just less than 48 hours away, the New England Patriots made some minor moves on Tuesday. As reported by Mark Daniels of the Providence Journal, the team has tendered exclusive-rights free agent Matt Lengel as well as offensive lineman Cameron Fleming and cornerback Justin Coleman.
The 26-year-old Lengel was signed off the Cincinnati Bengals’ practice squad to the Patriots 53-man roster towards the middle of last season. In six games, Lengel made two catches for 22 yards, including his first-career touchdown pass.
The very 1st catch of Matt Lengel's career?
— NFL (@NFL) December 24, 2016
It's a TOUCHDOWN from Tom Brady 🙌 #Patriots https://t.co/yTle0Fcfq0
Lengel, who was brought in to provide depth at the position when Rob Gronkowski went down, gained valuable playoff experience and got to fulfill a childhood dream by getting to and playing in the Super Bowl.
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"“That goes along with the whole day-at-a-time thing,” Lengel said in January when asked about the opportunity to make it to the Super Bowl, via Patriots.com. “You can’t get caught thinking about that too much. As a little kid, you think about it and dream of what it would be like and wonder if you’ll ever even get the opportunity. Now that it’s here, just coming to the playoffs and everything, it’s one day at a time, one play at a time, one game at a time. You’ve just got to keep yourself contained.”"
With Martellus Bennett on the verge cashing in once the free agency period officially begins on March 9, Lengel would be the backup tight end on the current depth chart.
What the tender means for 2017
Lengel isn’t guaranteed a roster spot, but he will get a chance to make the 53-man roster. Depending on what the team does in free agency and NFL draft, Lengel should have a good chance at providing depth at the position. The experience he gained towards the second half of the season and in the postseason should help him battle for a spot.
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Like he said back in January, he will have to take a one play at a time approach to become more of a contributor in 2017 for the Patriots or another NFL team.