Jalen Reagor Will Return to Foxboro for Another Season

The New England Patriots agreed to deals with Hunter Henry and Kendrick Bourne before letting them test free agency. Now Jalen Reagor joins Mike Onwenu as Patriots players returning to the team after hitting the open market. The wide receiver and kick returner reportedly agreed to a one-year contract.

Jordan Schultz of Bleacher Report was the first to report the signing.

Breaking: The #Patriots are re-signing WR Jalen Reagor to a 1-year deal, source tells @BleacherReport.

— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) March 12, 2024

Early NFL Career

The 25-year-old Reagor was a highly touted prospect coming into the 2020 NFL Draft out of TCU. He was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles No. 20 overall. Reagor was taken one pick ahead of Vikings All-Pro wide receiver Justin Jefferson. Other wide receivers who went soon after Reagor included Brandon Aiyuk (No. 25 to San Francisco), Tee Higgins (No. 33 to Cincinnati), and Michael Pittman Jr. (No. 34 to Indianapolis).

Unfortunately for Jalen Reagor, he was unable to live up to expectations in Philadelphia. In his two seasons with the Eagles, he amassed 64 receptions, for 695 yards receiving and three touchdowns. After the Eagles added DeVonta Smith (draft) and A.J. Brown (trade), Reagor was deemed expendable. The Eagles traded him to the Minnesota Vikings before the start of the 2022 season, for a pair of late-round picks.

The fresh start with the Vikings did not produce better results for Reagor in 2022. He played in all 17 games for Minnesota but finished with receiving totals of just 8-104-1. He was used primarily as a punt returner, though he lacked both explosiveness (6.4 yards/return) and ball security (four fumbles, though he only lost one).

Coming to New England

The Vikings released Reagor before the start of the 2023 season. He signed with the Patriots practice squad. After multiple promotions to the active roster, Reagor was added to the 53-man roster on Oct. 26, 2023.

Jalen Reagor appeared in 11 games for New England last season. He didn’t do much as a wide receiver (seven receptions, 138 yards) but did contribute as a kickoff returner. Reagor averaged 31.6 yards on seven returns, including a 98-yard touchdown return to open the game against the Buffalo Bills. He will provide depth as both a receiver and returner looking to earn a spot on the Patriots 2024 roster.

The New England Patriots have eight wide receivers under contract for next season. In addition to Reagor, the wide receiver room includes Kendrick Bourne, DeMario Douglas, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Tyquan Thornton, Kayshon Boutte, T.J. Luther, and Kawaan Baker. The Patriots could still look to add additional talent at the position before training camp gets underway.