New England Patriots receiver Phillip Dorsett may not be with the team for much longer. He is a pending free agent, and seems open to a move.
Dorsett’s representation sat down with the Patriots at the NFL combine, and while those discussions went well, the receiver seems to recognize he needs to take an adjusted approach to free agency in 2020 when the new league year begins on March 18.
“I would say that will probably be a little different,” Dorsett told ESPN’s Mike Reiss. “Last year, I had my heart set on where I wanted to go and I didn’t have an open mind. This year, I know I have to go into it with an open mind.”
The Patriots’ additions of Mohamed Sanu, a midseason trade acquisition, and N’Keal Harry, a 2019 first-round draft pick, sent Dorsett plummeting down the depth chart last year. Sanu’s arrival put him at second on the depth chart, and Harry returned from injured reserve in time to play for Week 10. Dorsett wasn’t exactly pleased with his limited playing time, which will surely factor into his free agency decision.
“It’s just something that I feel like I need to be honest with myself about,” Dorsett told ESPN. “The way the roles changed in New England in the middle of the season out of nowhere … it took me off the field. So at the end of the day, I have to be smart about it and make the best decision.”
Dorsett finished the season with 29 catches, 397 yards and five touchdowns. Though he is one of Tom Brady’s favorite pass-catchers, Dorsett’s production hasn’t spiked since joining New England.
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