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The New England Patriots are moving on from Demaryius Thomas.
According to a report from Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Patriots are releasing the five-time Pro Bowler and former Super Bowl champion. The 31-year-old veteran had been sidelined during the entire preseason after recovering from an Achilles’ injury suffered at the end of the 2018 season.
Thomas was able to play in the Patriots’ final preseason game and absolutely shined — catching seven passes for 87 yards and two touchdowns. But it apparently wasn’t enough to convince Bill Belichick that he was deserving of a spot on the 53-man roster.
Demaryius Thomas Could Still Be Re-Signed by Pats
According to sources, Thomas could still return to the Pats.
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Prior to his official return to the field, the veteran receiver expressed confidence in himself — despite the fact that he was coming off of a serious Achilles injury at the age of 31.
“I still can go,” Thomas said, via the Boston Herald. “I still can go. (I just have to) knock a little rust off and keep building the days.”
“I don’t have problems with my Achilles,” Thomas said, via the Boston Herald. “It’s just reacting. I haven’t been in front of defensive guys or just going play by play in eight months. I haven’t had pads or helmets in a while.”
Despite the Achilles injury and the uphill battle he was facing considering his late return to the field, Thomas appeared motivated by the challenge of playing for the Patriots.
“I think it’s a challenge of me just going out and continuing to do what I’ve been doing my whole career,” Thomas said, via the Boston Herald. “It’s a tougher challenge because here, they expect more and it’s a little different than where I’ve been, but I’ll be alright.”
Demaryius Thomas Is One of the Best Receivers of the Decade
Thomas is one of the more notable cuts from the 53-man roster cuts that took place on Saturday. The 31-year-old veteran was a bonafide star for the Denver Broncos throughout the decade. He was a two-time All-Pro during the 2013 and 2014 seasons as Peyton Manning‘s favorite target, catching 111 passes for 1,619 yards and 11 touchdowns during the 2014 season — a single-season record for yards in franchise history. He also caught 14 touchdown passes during Manning’s record-breaking 2013 season (55 touchdown passes) — another franchise record.
Thomas had signed a one-year deal with the Patriots in the offseason, but the Achilles injury combined with the reinstatement of wide receiver Josh Gordon and the Patriots’ already deep receiving corps made it too much of an uphill battle for the veteran to overcome.
Although the 10-year veteran is well past his best days, there should be a number of teams that show an interest in adding the receiver for depth purposes.
We will update you with more information regarding Thomas’ next NFL stop — and if he will return to the Pats — as soon as it becomes available.
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