Buccaneers Sign Tim Wright After Being Released by Pats

Mike McGinnis/Associated Press

Mike McGinnis/Associated Press

Shortly after the Patriots released tight end Tim Wright, his former team, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, signed him back. The team claimed him on Friday, only a day after he was released. Wright was traded to the Pats back in August, when they shipped Logan Mankins to Tampa Bay in exchange for Wright and a fourth round pick. He is currently 25 years old.

While in New England, Wright served as a reliable backup to all-pro tight end, Rob Gronkowski. He totaled 259 receiving yards and six touchdowns.

He is entering his 3rd year in the NFL, as he was undrafted out of Rutgers back in 2013. The Buccaneers signed him, and he found success there. In his rookie year, Wright played in all 16 games, and piled up 571 yards and five touchdowns.

If the Patriots kept Wright, he may have had to battle for a roster spot. While coach Bill Belichick loves Wright’s play, the Patriots have several tight ends on the roster. For example, former Buffalo Bill, Scott Chandler. That move would drop Wright to the 3rd tight end slot on the depth chart, and many speculate the depth of the position caused for Wright’s release.

Going back to the trade in August, it was very possible the reason Wright was ever a Patriot was because of Logan Mankins’s costly contract. Bill Belichick may not have been a fan of Mankins’ 6-year, $51 Million dollar deal. This deal made Mankins the second highest paid player on the team, falling behind Rob Gronkowski’s 6-Year $54 Million dollar agreement. This move may have been to free up some cap space for the reigning Super Bowl Champions.

No matter what the case is, Tim Wright is back to being a Buccaneer, and the now Super Bowl Champion is ready to continue his career in Tampa. Wright will join an exceptional receiving core, and pair up with new quarterback, Jameis Winston, in a revamped Buccaneers offense.