Yesterday, the New England Patriots offense delivered one of its worst games of the season and scored only 20 points against the Miami Dolphins. Today, the team is about to add some depth to its offensive skill positions by bringing free agent wide receiver Kenny Britt on board as first reported by ESPN's Field Yates:
Source: the Patriots are close to a deal with former Browns WR Kenny Britt. He visited them today.
The deal is also for the next two seasons, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport:
The #Patriots are signing WR Kenny Britt to a 2-year deal that locks him in through 2018, source said. This was his top landing spot.
Britt entered the NFL as a first round draft pick by the Tennessee Titans in 2009. The Rutgers product spent the first five seasons of his career with the team, appearing in 57 games and catching 157 passes for 2,450 yards and 19 touchdowns. In 2014, the 6'3, 220 lbs wideout joined the then-St. Louis Rams as a free agent. After three years with the team, he signed a four-year, $32.5 million contract with the Cleveland Browns in March.
However, Britt was released on December eight after catching only 18 passes for 233 yards and a pair of scores. The Patriots didn’t claim Britt because he had guarantees for 2018 in his original contract. By allowing him to clear waivers, New England could create their ideal contract with the wide receiver.
In New England, the 29-year old will now join a wide receiver depth chart consisting of Brandin Cooks, Chris Hogan and Danny Amendola as the top options, with Phillip Dorsett and Bernard Reedy as the depth players.