FOXBOROUGH, Mass. _ Ben Watson isn't in the Patriots plans after all.
The veteran tight end was released on Monday as the Patriots opted to not activate him to their 53-man roster. Watson, who came out of retirement to play in Foxborough, was serving a four game suspension. He was eligible to play last week, but the Pats received a roster exemption from the NFL, which ended at 4 p.m. on Monday.
Watson was in the Patriots locker room at the same time during the media on Monday. He declined to be interviewed before packing his belongings and leaving. Afterward, the 38-year-old posted a message on his Twitter account confirming the news.
"The God of victory is also God in failure. I gave my all, but it was not enough to earn a spot on the Patriots roster," Watson wrote. "I'm beyond disappointed but even more upset for my family who has supported me with all the love a husband and father could ask for. They are my heroes."
Watson is a 16-year NFL veteran. He's played in all 16 games the last four years in a row. Last year, with New Orleans, Watson caught 35 passes for 400 yards and two touchdowns. It was thought that he would give the Patriots a boost as they attempt to move on without Rob Gronkowski. This summer, Tom Brady seemed to have a solid rapport with Watson, who started his career with the Patriots, playing from 2004-2009.
By letting Watson go, the Patriots save around $2 million in cap space and now have around $3.7 million in space, according to Patriots cap expert Miguel Benzan of Boston Sports Journal.
Although he didn't play a regular season game, Watson was beloved in the locker room during his short stint in Foxboro this year. This offseason, the veteran took a leadership role, helping players on both sides of the ball.
"My respect for Ben, I'd do anything for Ben. He's such a good guy," LaCosse said. "Just salt of the earth kind of person. I wouldn't say my conversations weren't so much about football with him. It was just about life, character and what you are on and off the field. He's just an amazing person, a high character person. You could use a million Ben Watson's in this world."
"Ben is just, overall, a great person to be around," said Jason McCourty. "Football aside, a guy that's strong in his faith, mature, a father of seven so a lot to learn from him. I got a chance to workout with him during our break, OTAs going into training camp. Just a really good dude to be around and learn from a football standpoint, but also from a life standpoint."
With Watson gone, the Patriots turn to LaCosse and Izzo at tight end. On Sunday, LaCosse looked at full health for the first time this season. The 27-year-old suffered an ankle injury in training camp that set him back. He was limited in two of the four games he played in. In Washington, he played a season-high 73 offensive snaps and caught one pass for 22 yards.
Izzo, who started three of four games prior to Sunday, played a season-low 20 offensive snaps, but still caught two passes for 39 yards and a touchdown.
On Monday, the Patriots had a chance to add a veteran to their young tight end depth chart with Watson. Instead, they'll stick with and put their faith in LaCosse, 27, and Izzo, 23.
"It's obviously a big opportunity," LaCosse said. "But I'm just out there doing my job. I know how cliche that sounds, but honestly, that's what everyone's doing around here. I have to do my job to help this team win. Right now, that's my goal and that's my focus."
