Report: Patriots Sign WR Jordan Matthews To One-Year Deal
Just one day after the Patriots moved one wide receiver, they replaced him with another. Former Bills wideout Jordan Matthews is headed to New England to sign a one-year deal with the Patriots, as first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Matthews, 25, spent the first three seasons of his career with the Philadelphia Eagles, catching 225 passes with 19 touchdowns in 46 games. His best season came in 2015, when he made 85 catches for 997 yards and eight touchdowns.
The former second-round pick played in just 10 games for the Bills in 2017, starting seven and making 25 catches. Lingering knee and ankle injuries ultimately forced Matthews to undergo surgery in both areas in December. But he’s reportedly healthy now and ready to report to the Patriots.
![Sep 10, 2017; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver Jordan Matthews (87) runs with the ball after a catch against the New York Jets during the third quarter at New Era Field. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports](https://985thesportshub.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/88/2018/04/Jordan-Matthews-Bills-featured-image.jpg)
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Jordan Matthews runs with the ball after a catch against the New York Jets. (Photo Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports)
Despite Matthews’ size (6-foot-3, 212 pounds), he’s more of a big slot/possession receiver than an outside threat. That potentially makes him a great fit for Tom Brady, but he does need to prove he can stay healthy. If he can show he’s the same player that flashed high-end talent during his time in Philadelphia, he could be a big-time weapon for the Brady-led Pats offense.
Matthews joins a wide receiver depth chart that still has the returning Julian Edelman, plus Chris Hogan, Kenny Britt, Phillip Dorsett, Malcolm Mitchell, Matthew Slater, Cordarrelle Patterson, Cody Hollister, and Riley McCarron all under contract for 2018. If he stays on the field and clicks with Brady, his skill set could make him one of the great under-the-radar signings of the offseason.
— By Matt Dolloff, 985TheSportsHub.com
Matt Dolloff is a digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff or email him at [email protected].