Danny Amendola needs a job and the New England Patriots need a receiver. Could a reunion be in the works?
The Miami Dolphins released Amendola on Friday, and the receiver is interested in rejoining the Patriots, who may have a great deal of turnover at receiver with Josh Gordon, Phillip Dorsett, Chris Hogan and Cordarrelle Patterson set to enter free agency.
Amendola burned Bill Belichick on his way out the door last offseason, with Amendola expressing frustration over Malcolm Butler’s benching. However, he may have grown discontent in Miami under Adam Gase in 2018. Perhaps that time with the Dolphins has changed his perspective on New England’s negatives.
Bringing back Amendola could be tricky for the Patriots. New England has a developmental slot receiver on the roster in Braxton Berrios, and Belichick could (and should) also look to draft and develop more young talent at the position. They need to stock on young talent, with Julian Edelman, 32, being the only player of significance at the position. If he became an immediate contributor, Amendola might interfere with the development of those younger players.
But the Patriots do have to think about acquiring contributors in the passing game that can contribute in 2019, and right now they’re not looking at many sure things. Amendola has proven incredibly trustworthy and would be a plug-and-play cog in New England’s offense. Depending on what sort of money he’d want, the Patriots would be wise to add him to the roster as a depth option, while seeking more talented and younger options.
