Tight end Matt LaCosse and the New England Patriots inked a two-year contract, worth up to $3.8 million, according to ESPN’s Mike Reiss. Here’s how that contract breaks down.
Chances LaCosse makes the roster: 30 percent.
What the contract means for LaCosse: The Patriots guaranteed him $500,000, which makes him a strong candidate to make the team’s roster, especially with veteran Dwayne Allen departing in free agency. If Rob Gronkowski retired, the position would be wide open. LaCosse hasn’t developed into a fierce blocker, nor has he displayed excellent change of direction. Still, he’s fairly effective at every element of playing tight end. Because he’s well-rounded but doesn’t do any one thing particular well, he might not fit if the Patriots elect to put together a group of specialized tight ends like last year. In 2018, New England had Gronk, who did it all, Allen, who blocked, and Jacob Hollister, who was a pass-catcher. This year, they’ve got Hollister and Stephen Anderson, who would qualify as pass-catching tight ends. And they have Ryan Izzo, a second-year tight end that would qualify as a blocker. LaCosse will be fighting with that crew — and perhaps additional players — for a spot on the back end of the roster. New England expects him to be in the mix.
