When the Patriots loaded up on wide receivers this offseason, we all knew that they weren’t all going to make the final 53-man roster come Week 1, but it appears that Anthony Gonzalez will be the first to go before training camp even starts.
Gonzalez, who signed with the Patriots on St. Patrick’s Day in March, was apparently first on Bill Belichick‘s chopping block as he was released on Tuesday afternoon.
The 27-year-old former first-round pick spent his first five seasons with the Colts and showed flashes of talent but struggled staying healthy. He said he had hoped to leave those difficulties in his past and start fresh in New England, but his stint with the Pats lasted barely two months.
Fortunately for Gonzalez, being cut this early means he has the freedom and time to sign and enter training camp with another team in hopes of competing for a roster spot.
Gonzalez is the first wideout to be let go, but he certainly won’t be the last. The Patriots currently have receivers Wes Welker, Brandon Lloyd, Deion Branch, Chad Ochocinco, Julian Edelman, Jabar Gaffney, Donte Stallworth, Matthew Slater, Jeremy Ebert, Britt Davis and Matt Roark under contract, which mean more cuts are expected on the horizon.
