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The New England Patriots signed tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins to a 1-year deal, per ESPN’s Field Yates. The 6’5, 260-pound former second-round pick has spent time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New York Jets, and Jacksonville Jaguars during his five-year career. He turns 27 years old in September.
Source: the Patriots have signed veteran TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins to a one-year deal. Great chance to be a factor in their passing game.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) April 10, 2019
Austin Seferian-Jenkins (ASJ) signed a 2-year, $10 million deal with the Jaguars ahead of the 2018 season, but landed on the injured reserve in week 6 after suffering two hernia tears during training camp.
ASJ has 116 career receptions for 1,160 yards and 11 touchdowns. He picked up a career-high 50 receptions for 357 yards with the Jets in 2017, including 8 catches for 46 yards and a touchdown in a single game against the Patriots. He’s also a viable blocker and would be a solid TE2 if Rob Gronkowski were still on the roster.
According to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport, the contract is for the veteran minimum, so he shouldn’t count against the Patriots’ compensatory picks. ASJ opted to join the Patriots over the Seattle Seahawks. NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero has more:
The #Patriots gave TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins a $50K signing bonus on his one-year deal, source said. Another $40K in bonuses available later. It's a minimum salary benefit contract. He wanted to be a Patriot. Chance to produce and hit market again next year at age 27.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 10, 2019
The Patriots current tight end depth chart is:
- Austin Seferian-Jenkins
- Matt LaCosse
- Jacob Hollister
- Stephen Anderson
- Ryan Izzo
Although we can be honest and say that there isn’t really a depth chart, that the Patriots still have to address the position in the draft, and that whichever three players are best during the summer will make the roster.