It looks like Danny Amendola will not be returning to the Miami Dolphins next year, as he has been released.
Last offseason, Amendola left the New England Patriots, where he was a major contributor to two Super Bowl championships. However, the wide receiver only spent one season in Miami before being released as a result of a below-average season. There is a high likelihood that he could return to the team that he made clutch plays and won two titles with.
It seems Amendola himself would be interested in this potentiality, as reported by Jeff Howe on Twitter.
Amendola would be interested in returning to the Patriots https://t.co/d6qXNWaZYR
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) March 8, 2019
Last season, Amendola made 59 catches for 575 yards and only one touchdown. This is surely below what he is capable of, especially when compared to his stats with New England. The 2017 season, his best with New England, Amendola made 61 catches for 659 yards in two touchdowns. These stats may seem quite similar, but he had a larger impact when on the field in New England.
The 33-year-old receiver also developed a strong chemistry with quarterback Tom Brady during his five-year span with the Patriots. Not only this, Amendola became a fan-favorite in Foxborough. Due to his consistency under the playoff intensity, fans dubbed him Danny “Playoff” Amendola. In Julian Edelman’s 2017-18 absence, Amendola proved to be a threat in the punt return game as well. All in all, a Patriots reunion for the veteran receiver makes sense. There is a chance Phillip Dorsett and Cordarrelle Patterson depart in free agency, meaning there will be open space for Amendola to return.
The Patriots are expected to look towards the draft to add a new receiver, as well as make a move in free agency or re-sign one of their own free agents. Because of his great past with the team, the Patriots should reach out about a possible return. Of all of the possible landing spots for him, New England does seem the most likely.
Considering the Patriots’ current depth at receivers, they could pair Amendola with young Braxton Berrios, former teammate Julian Edelman, Josh Gordon (if he returns), and any offseason additions.
With the free agency period opening up very soon, it will be interesting to see where Amendola and his fellow free agents will land for this coming season.
