Patriots WR Marqise Lee opting out of 2020 season
Patriots wide receiver Marqise Lee has decided to opt out of the 2020 NFL season, as first reported by New: Wide receiver Marqise Lee is planning to opt out of the 2020 season, per league source. He is the seventh #Patriots player to make this choice.
Lee recently became a father in February. He told ESPN’s After @globejimmcbride reported that Patriots WR Marqise Lee is opting out of the season, I just spoke with Lee.
Lee became a first-time father in February to a daughter, Alia.
"We just feel like it wasn't smart for us to go out and play this year," Lee told me.
The former Jaguars wideout becomes the seventh Patriot to opt out amid COVID-19 concerns. He joins linebacker Dont’a Hightower, safety Patrick Chung, right tackle Marcus Cannon, running back Brandon Bolden, fullback Danny Vitale, and offensive lineman Najee Toran.
New England originally signed Lee in April, just before the start of the 2020 NFL Draft. Lee, who has dealt with several injuries throughout his career, was guaranteed only $300,000 in his contract.
Per Miguel Benzan of the Boston Sports Journal, the Patriots’ salary cap number increases to $25,420,302 after the opt-out. Benzan notes that it will increase by another $9 million if changes to the CBA push 2020 signing bonus prorations to the 2021 season.
Marqise Lee has decided to opt out of the 2020 season, removing a veteran from the Patriots’ wide receiver depth chart. (Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports)
Here’s a look at the Patriots wide receiver depth chart after Lee opted out:
Julian Edelman
Mohamed Sanu
N’Keal Harry
Jakobi Meyers
Gunner Olszewski
Damiere Byrd
Quincy Adeboyejo
Devin Ross
Jeff Thomas
Will Hastings
The Pats recently released Hastings, an undrafted rookie out of Auburn, to get their roster down to 80 players. The growing number of opt-outs reopened a roster spot for Hastings, whom the Patriots quickly re-signed along with undrafted quarterback Brian Lewerke out of Michigan State.
Edelman, Harry, Meyers, Olszewski, and Byrd were recently part of a private workout with Patriots quarterback Cam Newton, per Edelman’s Instagram page.
Lee’s decision to opt out opened up an opportunity for Byrd and others to compete for an open roster spot.
Follow the New England Patriots and the National Football League at 985TheSportsHub.com.
