Marqise Lee Signs With the New England Patriots

Marqise Lee signed a one-year deal with the New England Patriots. The former Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver who was recently released didn’t wait for too long before finding himself a new team.

“Patriots are signing former Jaguars’ WR Marqise Lee to a one-year contract, per source. Trade a TE, land a WR,” Adam Schefter wrote on his Twitter account earlier today. The Pats would confirm the news on their official website also.

Lee was released from the Jags three days ago, as a big bust who cost them a lot of money. The 28-year old spent his entire career in Florida. He was drafted in 2014 as the second-round pick, and 39th overall. Lee came from USC as a big prospect but failed to become star.

New veteran receiver for the Patriots. They now have:

Julian Edelman
Mohamed Sanu
Marqise Lee
N'Keal Harry
Jakobi Meyers
Damiere Byrd
Gunner Olszewski
Quincy Adeboyejo
Devin Ross

Bet they'll add at least one more during this draft. https://t.co/kCdLDU342P

— Zack Cox (@zm_cox) April 23, 2020

He wasn’t noticeable in his first two years, during which he combined 613 yards in total and two touchdowns. However, in 2016, Lee posted 851 yards in 16 games, six as a starter for three TDs. The next year he became a regular member of the starting lineup, appearing in all 14 matches and catching 702 yards also for three TDs.

At the end of that season, Jacksonville gave him a four-year extension worth $38 million, but that turned out to be one of the biggest mistakes this franchise did in the past several years.

Lee would pick up an injury during the third preseason match, and was forced to skip the entire season in order to recover. In the 2019 season, he played six games and had three receptions for 18 yards, not having the slightest impact on Jags’ game. It is why the team decided to get rid of him and move on. His release is a part of the total reconstruction, as the franchise from Florida traded away Nick Foles, and will do the same with Leonard Fournette in the near future.

On the other hand, the Pats are trying to build a respectable team that would be competitive after Tom Brady’s departure. As usual, Bill Belichick is gathering players who were once great talents, but didn’t fulfill the expectations, and is giving them a second chance to revive their careers.

Apart from Lee, the Pats have Mohamed Sanu, Julian Edelman, and N’Keal Harry on the roster, plus, Damiere Byrd, Jakobi Meyers, and Gunner Olszewski. Yet, that is not the biggest problem, as they have to strengthen the offensive line and find a decent quarterback to fill in the starting position.

The upcoming draft might determine many things, especially if Pats enter some kind of a trade that would see them solving all the critical problems. They have one selection in the first round, 23rd pick, and three in the third, 98th, 100th and 105th. After that, the six-time Super Bowl champions have 8 choices.

It will be interesting to see what maneuver Belichick would use, as he needs to be very creative in the current situation.

To remind you, Pats also traded Rob Gronkowski this week, and in return got the fourth-round choice from the Buccs.

As for Lee, this is a unique chance to come back to the orbit, and to show what kind of a player he can be. Once a high prospect whose career was damaged with various injuries will probably have his last opportunity to become a game-changer. And he will have the help of the best head coach in the league.