Patriots to Release Newly-Signed Tight End Austin Seferian-Jenkins
By Parker White
Well, that was quick.
The New England Patriots had a hole at the tight end position when Rob Gronkowski called it a career, so they went ahead and signed veteran Austin Seferian-Jenkins to take his place as a stopgap option.
Well, less than two months since bringing him aboard, the Patriots are already releasing him.
The #Patriots are cutting TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins, source said. He’s taking a step away for a month for personal issues and the team will release him as he does that. We’ll see if he comes back to New England or anywhere.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) June 4, 2019
According to Ian Rapoport, Seferian-Jenkins is stepping away from football for at least month for personal reasons. We'll see if Jenkins and the Patriots come together on something when he's ready to return, but at the moment he's a man without a team, and the Pats will have to find another solution with Benjamin Watson suspended to begin the year.
The #Patriots have released TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins, who was primed to help fill Rob Gronkowski's role. Story:https://t.co/XrhwzrrIeb
— Pro Football Rumors (@pfrumors) June 4, 2019
What Seferian-Jenkins is dealing with is unknown, but this won't be the first time he's had personal issues. He began his career in Tampa Bay and dealt with substance abuse issues before landing with the Jets and having a career year. He then only played in five games with the Jaguars last year.
If Seferian-Jenkins doesn't come back to New England down the road, the Patriots will head into 2019 with Watson, Matt LaCosse and Ryan Izzo.