Patriots New Veteran Profile: Matt LaCosse

Since the departure of tight end Rob Gronkowski due to retirement, there’s been a bunch of names thrown around as to who exactly will take the place of number 87 come Opening Night at Gillette Stadium against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

It appears that Bill Belichick and co. will look to use a “tight end by committee” carousel to open the season, and one of the pieces that will be thrown into the puzzle is Matt LaCosse. Let’s take a look at his journey around the NFL that’s led him to New England.

Matt has been on quite the roller coaster throughout his young NFL career, being featured on both the Giants and Jets practice squads in 2015, and then finally being added to the Giants 53-man roster for three seasons until 2017, before departing to provide his services to the Denver Broncos in 2018.

Through three full seasons in the NFL, LaCosse has yet to break through and be a key contributor on a championship caliber team. In his career thus far, LaCosse has racked up 27 receptions for 272 yards and just one touchdown.

A small sample size for sure, but keep in mind he’s never had a quarterback like Tom Brady throwing him the football.

LaCosse is set to fit into his role in New England quite nicely, and it will be interesting to see if the Illinois native can turn the heads of some coaches on the New England staff when training camp opens up in late July.

Entering the league as an undrafted free agent in 2015, LaCosseis slowly climbing the ladder to becoming an impact player, and who knows what he’ll bring to the table for the defending champs come this fall.

–Brendan Howe is a Staff Writer for Full Press Coverage Sports Media and covers the New England Patriots. Follow him on Twitter @BrendanHowe_