Patriots news: New England pursuing free agent tight end Delanie Walker

The New England Patriots became a team left in the dust as several of its veteran players have decided to opt-out of playing in the upcoming season.

The New England Patriots became a team left in the dust as several of its veteran players have recently decided to opt-out of playing in the upcoming season. The team responded to the situation by taking a look at one of the best free-agent talents still available in the market in tight end Delanie Walker.

ESPN senior NFL reporter Jeremy Fowler disclosed the developments on the Patriots' possible acquisition on Twitter:

Free agent TE Delanie Walker, 35, is training for the season and has received levels of interest from several teams, including the Patriots, per source. Had four straight 800-plus-yard seasons from 2014-17.

— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) August 3, 2020

The long list of Patriots players who won't be playing in September is composed of linebacker Dont’a Hightower, tackle Marcus Cannon, guard Najee Toran, fullback Danny Vitale, running back Brandon Bolden, safety Patrick Chung, wide receiver Marqise Lee, and tight end Matt LaCosse.

Delanie Walker is a veteran player drafted with the 175th pick in the sixth round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He spent his first six seasons with the San Francisco 49ers until the 2012 season. His stint with the Tennessee Titans proved to be productive as he became a three-time Pro Bowler from 2015-2017, and bagged the 2018 Offensive Pro Bowl MVP honors.

Without Walker, the Titans finished with a record of 9–7 for the fourth consecutive year and eventually lost to the Kansas City Chiefs, 35-24, in the AFC championship game. After seven seasons with the team, he was then released from the Titans' roster after the 2019 season due to missing 25 regular-season games over the last two seasons owing to injuries.

In a 14-year playing career, the 35-year old has already amassed a total of 5,888 receiving yards with 504 receptions and scored 36 receiving touchdowns.

Should the Patriots continue to pursue Walker, he will still be a good addition to fill in the gaping holes of the team's rotation. Challenged with different circumstances in 2020, Bill Belichick and his men are still aiming to defend their AFC East division title for the 12th straight season.