The New England Patriots have reportedly informed wide receiver DeVante Parker of their intention to release him on Wednesday, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Parker never emerged as the true No. 1 wideout the Patriots hoped he’d be for the team. Granted, he did have some great moments on the field, but the consistency wasn’t there for the veteran receiver.
He finished the 2023 season with the second-lowest receiving total of his career—33 catches, 394 yards and no touchdowns.
It clearly wasn’t all Parker’s fault.
The Patriots lacked receiver talent across the board, and the offensive line has struggled significantly in recent years. But there’s also the fact that too much was expected of Parker, who would be better off as a complementary option in a more structured offense at this point in his career.
In the end, this should be considered a good move for both sides. Parker can move on to help another team, and the Patriots can shift their attention elsewhere at one of their greatest positions of need.