Patriots Gridiron News: Chris Hogan has nothing but love for former team

The New England Patriots parted ways with Chris Hogan as the veteran wide receiver signed a one-year deal with the Carolina Panthers in free agency.

Two Super Bowl championships in three Super Bowl appearances.  It can’t get any better than that for any player.  For wide receiver Chris Hogan, coming to the New England Patriots from the Buffalo Bills not only put him on a bigger stage of success, but gave him an experience he will never forget.

As a former lacrosse player, Hogan was the definition of what it means to be a Patriot.  Not only was he a big contributor in the team’s Super Bowl run, including the historic comeback victory against the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl LI, he worked his way into Tom Brady’s circle of trust during that first season with the team.

Now, over the last couple of seasons that production declined a bit, but Hogan will always be remembered in New England for the clutch catches he made during important moments in the playoffs.

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He never had the breakout season he was predicted to have with the Patriots, but no one can doubt that he was a solid contributor who stepped up when the team really needed him.

In finishing with just 35 receptions for 532 yards and three touchdowns, there was also no surprise that the team did not re-sign him following the latest Super Bowl victory, but still sad to see a piece of two Super Bowl champions depart from the team.

A couple weeks after signing a one-year deal with the Carolina Panthers, Hogan posted a farewell message to Instagram thanking the New England Patriots organization and fans for what he called a dream come true.

On Instagram he wrote:

"“Just wanted to finally say thank you to all of patriot nation, the patriots organization and all my teammates. It was an incredible 3 years and I am blown away at the amount of support My family has been been given from teammates and fans. I Made a lot of memories in New England and more importantly a lot of friendships that I will have for the rest of my life. I enjoyed every second that I spent in Boston, playing, working, daily grind of the season, they were all unforgettable seasons. 3 years and 3 Super Bowl appearances is something you only dream of as a player.”"

Certainly, a classy move from a player who made the most of his time on the field during his three years in New England.

Hogan’s most memorable game

Chris Hogan made some big catches in big games, but who can forget the AFC Championship game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in January of 2017.

In the 36-17 victory, Hogan caught nine passes for 180 yards and two touchdowns.  That was the game the veteran receiver really earned his nickname “7/11” as he was always open and had the Steelers’ secondary scratching their heads the entire night.

That game set the team up for Super Bowl LI and at the time seemed like a breakout game for Chris Hogan who never thought he would have a game like that.

"“It’ll be something that definitely I’ll remember for the rest of my career, and probably for the rest of my life,” Hogan said following the 2017 AFC Championship Game.  “Someone told me that this was going to be a game that you’ll look back on 30 years from now and you’ll remember exactly what happened.  I’m happy for everyone in this locker room, all these guys in the locker room (and the) coaches.  We’ve worked so hard to get here, and I was just happy that I was able to help this team get a win.”"

Of course, that game was Chris Hogan’s biggest performance in a New England Patriots uniform and obviously the most memorable.  Now he gets to take the experience he earned while on a Super Bowl team and translate that on a Carolina Panthers team with their own Super Bowl aspirations.