New England Patriots fullback Danny Vitale has pulled out of the 2020 NFL season, his firm, Steinberg Sports & & Entertainment, confirmed Monday.
The 26-year-old Vitale, who was the teams most knowledgeable candidate to change retired fullback James Develin, had actually signed an one-year, $1.3 million handle the Patriots in May as a free representative. The contract consisted of $100,000 in ensured cash.
The Patriots have actually generally made use of the fullback as much as practically any team in the NFL. They most notably featured the position extensively 2 seasons back, making a late-season improvement to a grind-it-out running attack en path to the Super Bowl LIII championship over the Los Angeles Rams.
2 RelatedVitale and his better half, Caley, invited a baby child on April 16. When Vitale talked with Patriots reporters in May, he said, “Obviously with everything going on here, and the state of the nation, the little silver lining there is I get to invest a lot of time with both of them.”
According to an arrangement authorized by both the league and the NFL Players Association, players considered high danger for COVID-19 can earn $350,000 and an accrued NFL season if they select to pull out. Gamers without threat can make $150,000 for pulling out.
Vitale would have been entering his fifth NFL season, having actually previously bet the Cleveland Browns (2016-2018) and Green Bay Packers (2018-2019). He got in the NFL as a sixth-round draft pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers out of Northwestern, beginning his career on Tampa Bays practice team.
Vitale, who has actually played in 44 career games, wasnt a lock to make the Patriots final lineup, as he was vying for an area against second-year player Jakob Johnson (who suited up in 4 games for New England in 2019) and undrafted rookie totally free representative Jake Burt. Tight end Dalton Keene, a third-round pick from Virginia Tech, could likewise factor into the mix given his experience lining up in the offending backfield sometimes.
In addition to Vitale, second-year center/guard Najee Toran likewise has decided out of the 2020 season, a source validated. Toran, who went into the NFL as an undrafted totally free representative out of UCLA in 2018 with the San Francisco 49ers, was competing for a backup function after spending the 2019 season on the Patriots practice squad. The Boston Globe initially reported Torans decision.
Likewise, the Patriots have actually reached a contract with undrafted free-agent receiver Will Hastings (Auburn) to go back to the group, a source validated. The Patriots had waived Hastings on Sunday, but they now have a roster area to bring him back after Vitale and Toran opted out.
In addition to Vitale, second-year center/guard Najee Toran also has actually chosen out of the 2020 season, a source confirmed. Toran, who got in the NFL as an undrafted complimentary representative out of UCLA in 2018 with the San Francisco 49ers, was competing for a backup function after spending the 2019 season on the Patriots practice team. The Boston Globe first reported Torans choice.
