The New England Patriots need more talent at the tight end position, and though they could attempt to sign free agent Greg Olsen, a player who finished 2019 with 52 catches, 529 yards and two touchdowns, there have been no reports of interest between the Patriots and Olsen.
“They’re trying to get Gronk back. If they don’t get him, I’m like third in line,” Olsen said on the FOX pregame show during the Super Bowl, via the Athletic’s Jeff Howe.
It’s unclear how serious Olsen was. But the Patriots can’t afford to do what they did last year, when Gronk’s indecisiveness inhibited New England from landing a big free agent like tight end Jared Cook. (Cook wanted to be the No. 1 tight end and feared a Gronk comeback would ruin that in New England.) It’s likely Gronk isn’t coming back in 2020, just like the tight end didn’t come back in 2019. The Patriots need to pounce on good options, and Olsen seems like a solid one, even as he’s about to turn 35.
Free agent TE Greg Olsen has a #Redskins visit through today, source said. He arrived yesterday. His #Seahawks visit is Wednesday, and then Olsen expects a decision by the end of the week. Olsen, who was in the booth for an XFL game yesterday, has also spent time with the #Bills.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 10, 2020
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Olsen seems to be deciding between three teams: the Washington Redskins, the Seattle Seahawks and the Buffalo Bills. There could always be an unreported team in the mix. There could also be a team that jumps into the mix by the end of the week. So it is possible the Patriots are or will be in play for Olsen.
If they don’t pursue him, then they seem to be missing an opportunity. He was productive in an unproductive offense, and he will likely be a major upgrade from Ben Watson, who expected he would have to retire this offseason. The Patriots are looking at just Matt LaCosse and Ryan Izzo at the tight end position for 2020. The free agency class boasts a pair of standouts, Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper, but they will be high in demand in free agency, and it’s possible the Patriots get outbid. Depending upon his salary demands, Olsen would be a nice player to secure before free agency opens.
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