INDIANAPOLIS – As the Patriots turn the page to 2019 and the formulation of the roster heading toward the new league year on March 13, the team is reportedly parting ways with veteran tight end Dwayne Allen.
ESPN reported, and other outlets have confirmed, that the "Patriots have informed tight end Dwayne Allen that they are releasing him, per source. They have expressed an interest in signing him back for less money, but he will be free."
Allen arrived in New England via trade from the Colts in the 2017 offseason. In two years in Foxborough, Allen started 16 of 29 games but caught a mere 13 passes for 113 yards and only one touchdown, serving as primarily a blocking option.
His reported release, coming after a he took a pay cut to remain in New England last season, would free up nearly $7 million against the Patriots 2019 $188 million cap.
With Allen possibly out of the picture, New England's tight end depth chart would now include Rob Gronkowksi, oft-injured second-year player Jacob Hollister, practice squad call-up Stephen Anderson and 2018 seventh-round pick Ryan Izzo, who spent his rookie season on injured reserve.
For the second straight offseason, and coming off a down year in production prior to huge plays to help the Patriots win the AFC title game and Super Bowl LIII, Gronkowski has openly talked about the possibility of retirement as he heads toward his 30th birthday.
