Benjamin Watson not activated by Patriots, wants to keep playing elsewhere

The New England Patriots have decided they do not want to add Benjamin Watson to their roster now that the tight end is done serving his suspension, but that does not mean he is going to retire.

The Patriots had until Monday afternoon to decide whether or not to add Watson to their active roster, and they chose not to. That means his second tenure in New England has come to an end before it truly began, and Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that Watson wants to keep playing.

#Patriots TE Ben Watson, who was not activated today by New England meaning his tenure is over, does want to keep playing, I’m told. So retirement gets pushed off against as he looks for a new home.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 7, 2019

Watson took to Twitter to say he is “beyond disappointed” with the decision.

The God of victory is also God in failure. I gave my all, but it was not enough to earn a spot on the @Patriots roster. I’m beyond disappointed but even more upset for my family who has supported me with all the love a husband and father could ask for.They are my heroes. Rom 8:28

— Benjamin Watson (@BenjaminSWatson) October 7, 2019

The move is quite a surprise, as the Patriots have been extremely thin at tight end since Rob Gronkowski retired. They also could use an extra pass catcher, and Watson has 530 receptions in his career. He was drafted by New England and spent six seasons there, so many believed that familiarity and Gronk’s departure would make him a natural fit.

Watson served a four-game suspension for testing positive for a banned substance, but he explained that a doctor recommended he take the substance once he thought he was done playing football. The 38-year-old will now look for another team to give him a shot.