Illinois Football: Matt LaCosse a projected starter for New England Patriots
Another former Illinois football player is making headlines when it comes to playing time in the NFL.
In the second hour of the Golic and Wingo show, which airs from 6:00 AM – 10:00 AM EST Monday through Friday, ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter appeared for some insight on what is happening in the NFL. Schefter is one of the best in the business and was asked about the current tight end situation for the New England Patriots. During the conversation, he mentioned that former Illinois tight end Matt LaCosse is the starter for the Patriots week one.
There had to be a few dominoes fall for LaCosse to get to this point, though. Future Hall of Fame tight end and loveable party boy, Rob Gronkowski, retired in the offseason and is steadfast in his position of staying in retirement. He left a big hole at the tight end position.
The replacement for Gronkowski, Ben Watson, came out of retirement but had failed a drug test prior to signing with a team. After last season ended, Watson thought he was done with football so he started taking some prescribed medication that would help him heal. He was randomly drug tested in March 2019 and took the test thinking he was going to be retired anyway. He then had teams wanting him to play this upcoming season and signed with the Patriots. He failed the drug test in March so he will miss the first four games of the season.
Schefter also reported that the Patriots expressed interest in Minnesota Vikings tight end, Kyle Rudolph, as well. He would have been a great fit for the New England offense, but the asking price was apparently too high for Rudolph’s services. That trade fell through.
So, that now leaves LaCosse as the starting tight end for the Patriots to start the 2019 campaign. I think he is ready for this role as well. LaCosse was a solid player during his college days for the Illini. His best season was his junior campaign where he started in nine games and played in all 12. He finished the season with 20 catches for 237 yards and three touchdowns.
After the 2014 campaign, LaCosse entered the NFL Draft but wasn’t selected. His first few years in the NFL were tumultuous, to say the least. He signed with the New York Giants after the NFL Draft concluded. But LaCosse injured his hamstring during training camp. He was then waived by the Giants in early August 2015.
The New York Jets then saw some potential in LaCosse and signed him in late August only to cut him a week later in early September. The Giants eventually came back around and added LaCosse to their practice squad on November 4, 2015. He was then upgraded to the regular team from the practice squad on December 25, 2015. LaCosse would go on to play in two games for the Giants and catch three passes for 22 yards during his rookie season.
Injuries struck LaCosse again in 2016. The Giants placed him on the injured reserve list, and he missed the entire 2016 campaign. He then came back in 2017 and ended up playing in three games for the Giants and started in one of those contests. He was then cut in November 2017. Less than a month later, the Denver Broncos picked up LaCosse. He was able to play in two games for the Broncos in 2017.
LaCosse then entered last season as one of the main tight ends for the Broncos. He was a big piece to their offense and played in 15 games with five starts. He ended the season with 24 catches for 250 yards and a touchdown. He then became a free agent after the season and the Patriots scooped him up.
There are a handful of former Illinois football players in the NFL right now. LaCosse is just another example of the talent that has come through the program. He seems to be the lead tight end for the defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots. That is a great honor for a player who continues to show why he belongs in the league.