You know what they say: “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.” Well, that could potentially be the case for the New England Patriots with a player they drafted and let slip away to a division rival four years ago.
The New York Jets will be releasing receiver/returner Braxton Berrios after failing to agree to a contract restructure, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Thursday. The $5 million it saves, most will assume, is a cost-cutting measure the team is likely making to clear space for a potential trade for QB Aaron Rodgers. Shame Berrios will never have the chance to catch passes, or dirty looks, from Rodgers.
Berrios was initially selected by the Patriots in the sixth round of the 2019 Draft. He made it all the way down to the final roster cuts where he was released by the Patriots in hopes he would clear waivers and sneak onto the practice squad. New England at the time still had Julian Edelman at slot receiver, and some thought Berrios could be “the next insert name of late round draft pick shifty receiver here” for the Pats. However, Berrios, also a punt and kick returner, flashed enough in the preseason that the Jets placed a claim and thus rostered him for the past four seasons.
The former Miami Hurricane had his best season in 2021 where he was named first team AP All-Pro, though not as a receiver but a kick returner. The Patriots have second-year cornerback/special team speedster Marcus Jones at returner, himself an All-Pro at punt returner in 2022. Still, Berrios does look to have the body type and skill set of that quick, twitchy slot receiver the Patriots rostered and helped make an NFL offensive staple over the past 20+ seasons. Perhaps a reunion at the right price could be in the cards, and not just to mend fences or right a wrong of four years prior. The Patriots could be at risk of losing slot receiver Jakobi Meyers in free agency, and recently had Mac Jones’ former teammate from Alabama, free agent receiver Slade Bolden, in for a workout as well. The team very well might be exploring some depth options at a discount should Meyers take a check elsewhere. And for what it's worth, Wes Welker, the gold standard of the undersized slot receiver, did have his two best seasons when current Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien was calling plays. Perhaps O’Brien would be interested in taking a flyer on someone with some pro experience who’s quick and wouldn’t likely command a high price tag.
Berrios officially becomes a free agent on March 15, the start of the new NFL league year.
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