Out Route: WR Nelson Agholor Leaves Patriots For AFC Rival
As the New England Patriots continue to try to move on from their disappointing 2022 season, their receivers continue to move away from them.
Last week Jakobi Meyers signed with the Las Vegas Raiders, and Friday morning NFL insider Jordan Schultz reports that Nelson Agholor is joining the Baltimore Ravens. Along with the recent trade of tight end Jonnu Smith to the Atlanta Falcons, it means the Pats will enter next month's NFL Draft without three of their top seven pass-catchers from last season - Meyers second, Agholor fifth, Smith seventh - still on the roster.
Considering New England's woeful offense was the main culprit for the 8-9 record, that's probably not a bad thing. Throw in new offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien and recent free-agent acquisition JuJu Smith-Schuster, and it's clear the team is hoping for more production from different players in 2023.
Signed to a two-year, $26 million contract by the Pats in 2021, Agholor never developed into a consistent big-play threat. He caught a touchdown from then-rookie quarterback Mac Jones in his Patriots' debut, but his production steadily declined. In two seasons in Foxboro he made 20 starts, catching 68 passes for 835 yards and five touchdowns.
Last season he was predominantly a backup, catching only 31 passes for 362 yards and two scores for the lowest numbers since his rookie season with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2015.
In Baltimore, Agholor is signing a one-year deal worth up to $5.25 million. He could team up with quarterback Lamar Jackson, and will reunite with Tee Martin (his receivers coach at Southern Cal) and Greg Lewis (his receivers coach in Philly).
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