Report: Patriots will sign TE Ben Watson to one-year deal
The Patriots are bringing Ben Watson back to where it all began.
NEW ORLEANS, LA – NOVEMBER 04: Benjamin Watson #82 of the New Orleans Saints catches a touchdown pass from quarterback Drew Brees #9 during the second quarter of the game against the Los Angeles Rams at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on November 4, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
Wesley Hitt/Getty Images
NEW ORLEANS, LA - NOVEMBER 04: Benjamin Watson #82 of the New Orleans Saints catches a touchdown pass from quarterback Drew Brees #9 during the second quarter of the game against the Los Angeles Rams at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on November 4, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
The Patriots will bring Ben Watson back to where it all began 15 years ago, as the team intends to sign Watson to a one-year, $3 million contract, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
New England's intentions to sign the 38-year-old Watson comes after a reported visit with the Pats, and after the 6-foot-3 tight end totaled 35 catches for 400 yards and a pair of touchdowns in 16 games for the Saints last season.
Watson (obviously) becomes the team's most experienced tight end, and joins a depth chart featuring Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Matt LaCosse, Stephen Anderson, Ryan Izzo, and undrafted free agent Andrew Beck.
A first round pick in 2004, Watson spent the first six years of his NFL career as a Patriot, with 167 catches for 2,102 yards and 20 touchdowns with Patriots quarterback Tom Brady throwing him the ball in all but one of those seasons.
