While signing Reggie Wayne seems like one of those typical veteran additions before they cut them, the New England Patriots are probably a bit more serious than that about him.
Wayne signed a deal worth up to $2.8 million with incentives, so the Patriots clearly plan on using him more than just sparingly. He also gets a $450,000 signing bonus, which wouldn’t be the case has the Patriots intended to cut him even before the season began.
Wayne was released by the Indianapolis Colts after 14 seasons including two Super Bowl appearances (one win), feeling that re-signing him wasn’t falling well with their plans. A six-time pro bowl selection and one time first-team All-Pro, Wayne played in 14 games during his last season with the team, catching 64 passes for 779 yards and a couple of touchdowns.
No longer one of the best receivers in the league, but on a Patriots team dealing (almost as usual) with a lot of injuries at the position, it’s hard to believe a gifted and experienced player such as Wayne won’t be able to contribute, especially with Tom Brady getting him the ball and Bill Belichick figuring out how to make the most of him.