Patriots DT Sealver Siliga is Done in New England

The New England Patriots appear to have been telling their free agents whether or not they are hoping they return for the 2016 season. Defensive tackle Sealver Siliga, a restricted free agent, is definitely gone as he and his agent have offered their thoughts on the decisions.

As was reported #TeamDEC client @S_Siliga will become a free agent on March 9. #isitmarch9yet

— DEC Management (@davidcanter) March 3, 2016

First off I would like to thank Mr. Kraft for the opportunity to play in New England. It was a pleasure playing for such a great organization! I will always have the up most respect for the New England #Patriots. I Was so blessed to have won Super Bowl XLIX with some great men and spend 3 fantastic years in the Boro! Thank you Patriots for showing me how it gets done! Will always have love for coach Belichick and Matty P and the rest of the coaching staff. Excited for the next journey of Free Agency on March 9 :..

A photo posted by Sealver Siliga (@sealver_siliga) on Mar 3, 2016 at 2:49pm PST

It seems as if the decision is well-received and Siliga will be missed. His playing time decreased with the acquisition of fellow defensive tackle Akiem Hicks, until he was a healthy scratch towards the end of the season.

The acknowledgement that Siliga will not be with the squad next year could hint at the Patriots intention to try and retain Hicks for 2016- or the idea that regardless of what happens with Hicks, veteran defensive tackle Alan Branch has the inside lane for the roster.

Siliga joins fellow restricted free agent (RFA) WR Brian Tyms as a player without an invite back to New England. The remaining two RFAs without a known decision are OT LaAdrian Waddle and FB James Develin.