It looks like the end of an era with reports coming out that Danny Amendola is cashing in on a two-year, $12 million deal with $8.5 million guaranteed with the Dolphins. I think most of us just assumed after three-straight years of taking pay cuts to remain in New England that the Pats and their clutch slot receiver would find a way to tack on another year, but alas Miami was ready to pay the kind of dough the Pats wouldn’t.
Danny reduced his 2017 salary from $5 million down to $1.25 million. Now the 32-year-old receiver will make well over that as he concludes his career.
Amendola had one of the most fascinating careers of a Patriots wide receiver in the last 17 years. He came in as the supposed Wes Welker replacement but battled injuries in his first season that only empowered those who believed he was too injury prone to be the go-to slot receiver that Welker was. Julian Edelman emerged into that role leading some to label Amendola a bust, but slowly and consistently Amendola began to rack up big catches in big moments.
Then came Super Bowl 49 where Amendola had a fourth-quarter touchdown and began to cement his legacy. Super Bowl 51 followed and Amendola had another fourth-quarter touchdown and the game-tying two-point conversion. Still, Amendola was not done, willing the Patriots back to Super Bowl 52 with two touchdowns in the AFC Championship with Edelman and Rob Gronkowski out. He’d add 152 receiving yards against the Eagles two weeks later.
Safe to say the Patriots don’t get by Jacksonville this year without Amendola. And there’s an argument to be made they might not have beaten the Seahawks or Falcons either.
Amendola gave the Patriots just five seasons but they went to the Super Bowl in three of those seasons and in each Amendola was absolutely vital. The Patriots managed him perfectly the last couple seasons, holding back on his workload in the regular season and then unleashing him in the playoffs where he caught every critical target that came his way. It was uncanny. And the fact that Amendola continually took less money to remain in New England only endeared him to Patriots fans even more.
Amendola’s spot on the Mount Rushmore of Tom Brady receivers is firmly in place. It’s not hard to wish him the best as he cashes in on a huge payday at the end of his career. He played in three Super Bowls, attained legend status in New England and can now enjoy his money and the Florida sun for a couple years before retiring.
What does this mean for the Patriots? It’s certainly a bit surprising that Amendola left now, but he’ll be 33 in November and is not going to carry a heavy workload anymore. Miami will expect far more out of him than the Patriots did and that could accelerate the end of his career. Despite being so clutch, the reality was that Amendola was a luxury at this point — a 4th receiver and punt returner that needed a certain level of protection.
The Patriots often move on from receivers around this time and there was no way they were going to pay him that much money. The need to develop another slot receiver is more magnified now. Julian Edelman looks really good based on his Instagram videos, but behind him, there isn’t another “quick open” guy that the Patriots offense often relies on. Perhaps where the Patriots will miss him most will be in the big games, on those critical third downs that Amendola so frequently came through on.
The offense will evolve, and with a number of promising receivers already on the roster it will open up more opportunities for players like Phillip Dorsett, Kenny Britt and Malcolm Mitchell.
Still it’s a sad day. Thinking about Edelman without Amendola is strange, but it sure was fun while it lasted.
Hoodiespeed, Danny!
What are your thoughts on Riley McCarron ascending to the role of next Patriots slot receiver or Amendola-like receiver? If you search his name, you’ll find a lot of reports out there that he appears to look like he might fit that role.
Yes he sure fits the mold but there have been dozens of guys who fit the slot mold and never crack the lineup. I think last year illustrated how important that kind of receiver is to the offense so maybe the void left by Amendola allows someone to emerge, though I’d sure target a couple rookies, drafted/undrafted.
Cool, appreciate the reply and feedback, Mike. I would take a 4th round or 5th round pick on a slot receiver backup/future starter.