New England Patriots fullback Danny Vitale has chosen not to participate in the 2020 NFL season, his agency, Steinberg Sports & Entertainment confirmed.
The 26-year-old Vitale, who was the team’s most experienced candidate to replace retired fullback James Develin, had signed a one-year, $ 1.3 million contract with the Patriots in May as a free agent. The contract included $ 100,000 in guaranteed money.
The Patriots have traditionally used the fullback as much as almost any NFL team. They highlighted the standout two seasons ago, transforming late in the season into a routine attack en route to the LIII Super Bowl championship over the Los Angeles Rams.
Vitale and his wife, Caley, welcomed a young daughter on April 16. When Vitale spoke to the Patriots reporters in May, he said, “Obviously, with everything that’s happening here, and the state of the country, the smallest glimmer of hope I have is spending a lot of time with both of them.”
Pursuant to an agreement approved by the league and the NFL Players Association, players considered high-risk for COVID-19 can win $ 350,000 and a cumulative NFL season if they choose to opt out. Risk-free players can win $ 150,000 for choosing not to participate.
Vitale would have entered his fifth NFL season, having previously played for the Cleveland Browns (2016-2018) and the Green Bay Packers (2018-2019). He entered the NFL as a sixth-round draft pick for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers outside the northwest, beginning his career on the Tampa Bay practice team.
Vitale, who has played in 44 career games, was not a lock to make it to the Patriots’ final roster, as he was vying for a spot against sophomore Jakob Johnson (who dressed in four games for New England. in 2019) and undrafted rookie agent Jake Burt. Tight end Dalton Keene, a third-round pick from Virginia Tech, could also influence the mix given his experience lining up on the offensive field at times.
In addition to Vitale, second-year center / guard Najee Toran has also chosen to exit the 2020 season, a source confirmed. Toran, who entered the NFL as an UCLA undrafted free agent in 2018 with the San Francisco 49ers, was vying for a backup role after spending the 2019 season on the Patriots’ practice team. The Boston Globe first reported Toran’s decision.
In addition, the Patriots have reached an agreement with Will Hastings (Auburn), an undrafted free agent receiver, to return to the team, a source confirmed. The Patriots had resigned from Hastings on Sunday, but now have a place on the list to bring him back after Vitale and Toran chose not to participate.
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