The Patriots won’t be activating TE Benjamin Watson, per a source.

— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) October 7, 2019

After serving his 4 game PED suspension, the Patriots opted not to activate Ben Watson before their game against the Washington R-Words this past week so that was odd. The Pats then had until 4 pm Monday to activate Watson or he would become a free agent and they opted to not activate him. Granted the Pats did pull Watson out of retirement to join the team so maybe he’s just not ready to go? This team is so thin at Tight End though I can’t imagine they wouldn’t welcome a 14-year veteran at a position of need.

Some people are speculating this could be the end, but Watson sure doesn’t sound like a guy thats ready to walk away.

The God of victory is also God in failure. I gave my all, but it was not enough to earn a spot on the @Patriots roster. I’m beyond disappointed but even more upset for my family who has supported me with all the love a husband and father could ask for.They are my heroes. Rom 8:28

— Benjamin Watson (@BenjaminSWatson) October 7, 2019

#Patriots TE Ben Watson, who was not activated today by New England meaning his tenure is over, does want to keep playing, I’m told. So retirement gets pushed off against as he looks for a new home.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 7, 2019

By cutting Watson though the Pats save nearly $2 million in cap space so I think this means they have got to be in on a trade. Why else make the move? You’ve got three weeks until the trade deadline on Oct. 29th and the Pats were really close up against the cap already. They’ve been rumored to be in on everyone from Emmanuel Sanders (going on 6 years now) to Stefon Diggs, Trent Williams, Tyler Eifert, and even guys like AJ Green. I don’t have my calculator out, but I believe Sanders and Eifert are the only ones they could fit without having to restructure contracts so those are the only two I’m seriously looking at.

Welp, Ben Watson we hardly knew ye. Its truly the end of an era at the Tight End position in Foxborough.

With Ben Watson released, Thursday night against the Giants will be the first #Patriots game without him or Rob Gronkowski employed by the team since Super Bowl 38 (February 1, 2004)

5,729 days ago

— Alex Barth (@RealAlexBarth) October 7, 2019