With Julian Edelman expected to serve a 4-game suspension for performance-enhancing drug use, the New England Patriots are looking to improve their receiving corps with their latest signing. According to new reports, former New York Jets Wide Receiver Eric Decker has agreed to a 1-year deal with the defending AFC Champs.
As a former Jet, the Patriots are very familiar with Decker from facing him twice a year every season as AFC East rivals. In his last season with the Jets, Decker sustained a shoulder injury that forced him out of the remainder of the season. In his last full season with the Jets, as the number 2 option at receiver, Decker caught 80 balls for 1027 yards and 12 touchdowns according to Pro Football Focus.
Last season, Decker played with the run-heavy offense of the Tennessee Titans where Decker caught 54 passes for 563 yards and only one touchdown. Now in his 9th NFL season, Decker says he wants to be in a position to compete for a championship hence the decision to join Tom Brady’s Patriots who have been to two consecutive Super Bowls.
“At this point in my career, I want to go somewhere where I can compete for a Super Bowl and be in a good system and be with a quarterback that my skill set would be an addition to the team,” Decker said in June on SiriusXM Radio as reported by ESPN.
The 31-year-old Decker will get the opportunity to face his former team, the Tennessee Titans in the Patriots week 10 away game, and will return to Metlife stadium to face the New York Jets in week 12.