The New England Patriots have declined to officially activate TE Ben Watson from the exempt list on Monday, according to Mike Reiss.
Ben Volin mentions that the Patriots will end up paying out Watson’s $600,000 signing bonus, but they will pick up around $2.06 million by releasing him.
Despite being released by New England, Ian Rapoport reports that Watson still plans to continue his career.
Watson finished serving his four-game suspension after failing a drug test for Bio Identical Testosterone Cypionate. He explained that he was taking the substance under a doctor’s care when he thought he was retiring from football.
Watson, 38, is a former first-round pick of the Patriots back in 2004. He spent six years in New England before joining the Browns in 2010.
Watson signed on with the Saints for the 2013 season and spent three years in New Orleans before joining the Ravens on a two-year, $7 million contract in 2016.
The Saints brought Watson back last year on a one-year contract. He signed a one-year, $3 million contract with the Patriots during the offseason.
In 2018, Watson appeared in 16 games for the Saints and caught 35 passes for 400 yards receiving and two touchdowns.
Looking for the latest NFL Insider News & Rumors?
Be sure to follow NFL Trade Rumors on TWITTER and FACEBOOK for breaking NFL News and Rumors for all 32 teams!
