That’s a wrap on Ben Watson‘s second stint with the Patriots. The Pats have declined to activate Watson and will release him, making him a free agent (Twitter link via ESPN.com’s Mike Reiss). 
We’ve seen Bill Belichick tinker with the roster before, so it’s theoretically possible that Watson could return to the Pats later this season, perhaps at a cheaper rate. But, for the time being, the club will cut ties and save $2MM against the cap.
Watson, 38, missed the first four games of the season while serving a PED suspension. He returned to practice last week, but he was not added to the roster in time to face the Redskins on Sunday. The Patriots easily handled the Redskins, beating them 33-7 and sending Jay Gruden packing in the process.
For now, the Pats seem content to move forward with Matt LaCosse and Ryan Izzo as their tight ends. LaCosse played 73 offensive snaps for New England over the weekend and Izzo caught the first touchdown pass of his NFL career.
Bah dee bah dee. That’s All Folks
Why sign a dude just to release em later
Insurance
The original plan clearly wasn’t to release him. The Patriots are unafraid to cut bait as soon as things don’t go as planned. Most other teams would hang onto somebody too long because they can’t admit that circumstances have changed and it’s no longer the right decision. Best of luck to you, Mr. Watson!
They want to money along with restructuring some other contracts (Hightower, McCourty) so they can make a deal for a TE, WR or both. That’s my opinion. The trade deadline is at the end of this month. Brady wants one more player and maybe in the second half Gronk comes back but I’m not counting on that one. Should be interesting. Belichick is not afraid to make deals to improve his team for draft picks, players or both.
The money
Any word on Austin Seferian Jenkins?
Antonio Brown contract fallout?