A fourth player has decided to opt out this afternoon. Patriots fullback Danny Vitale informed the team of his intentions to bypass the 2020 season, Jarrett Bell of USA Today reports.
Thus far, Vitale is the fifth overall player to opt out. He follows Chiefs guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, Ravens wideout De’Anthony Thomas, Seahawks guard Chance Warmack and Cowboys cornerback Maurice Canady.
Vitale has played four NFL seasons — two with the Browns, two with the Packers — and signed with the Pats this offseason. The Patriots lost longtime fullback James Develin to retirement earlier this offseason.
Vitale played 170 snaps last season with Green Bay, catching 12 passes for 97 yards. His one-year Patriots contract will toll to 2021. Since he is not believed to be at increased risk for COVID-19 complications, Vitale is set to receive a $150K stipend — rather than his $1MM base salary — and see his contract toll to 2021.
Patriots really need a fullback
They still have Jakob Johnson he wasn’t that bad till he got injured and with a yr to watch how things are done may only help him
True, but he has only played 4 games
Sony Michel just said “dang”
Why are so many comment sections closed? I get the Washington ones, but can we at least get a reason for some of the random other ones?
Because comment sections are toxic. They should all be closed.
Then stop typing comments and reading them.
Go read some of the MLBTR ones on the Phils game getting canceled or the sick marlins players and you’ll get a good idea as to why lol
To be fair, an article about Adam Shaheen getting traded really shouldn’t be closed off. Otherwise, I can agree with that
Granted, but it’d be nice to at least see a reason why the section was closed. Some of the choices, as wagner13 pointed out, seem random.
We’re up to a staggering 0.002% of the players opting out.
Football’s in for a load more issues then baseball is.
Good thing BB doesn’t hold grudges.
Should’ve just announced his retirement then as FBs are a dying breed, his standing won’t survive a year off.
No Big Loss Here!….A 170 snap, 12 catch fullback without the rep as a fiend of a blocker…. plus his previous stats from the other 3 years of his career isn’t a loss with the exception of effort it will take to replace him….he was a spare part at best!
The only thing interesting here is the Opt Out of another “player” and how it affects the Pats.
Fans will be opting out soon.