Patriots Sign Former Falcons TE: New H-Back?

FOXBORO — The New England Patriots have made an addition to their new-look offense as they continue their preparation for the upcoming 2023 NFL season.

The Pats and veteran tight end Anthony Firkser, per ESPN, have agreed on a deal, with the terms of the contract yet to be revealed.

The 28-year-old played in 11 games for the Atlanta Falcons last season, catching nine passes on 13 targets for 100 yards.

Frirkser joined the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the New York Jets in 2017. After being released at the end of training camp, he was signed to the Kansas City Chiefs practice squad, where he spent the remainder of the season. Firkser signed with the Tennessee Titans in 2018, where he spent his next four seasons as a backup. The 6-3, 220-pound tight end appeared in 58 games for the Titans, compiling 106 receptions and five touchdowns.

Firkser’s face may be familiar for some Patriots fans, who remember his touchdown catch against the team in Tennessee’s 2019 wild card win at Gillette Stadium. He is also far from a stranger to the region, having played his college football at Harvard. Firkser ranks 12th all-time in the school’s history in receptions, ninth in receiving yards and sixth in touchdown receptions.

New England’s tight end depth chart will have a different look in 2023. The team traded veteran Jonnu Smith to the Atlanta Falcons earlier this offseason, while adding former Miami Dolphins tight end Mike Gesicki during the initial wave of free agency in March. With Gesicki and incumbent starter Hunter Henry expected to procure the top two options, the Pats may be looking to Firkser to fill the third, in-line spot. While he has recently been used more out of the slot, the Crimson product is capable of playing an H-Back/fullback role, a position in which he excelled at Harvard.

In addition to Henry and Gesicki, Firkser joins fellow tight ends Matt Sokol, Scotty Washington and Johnny Lumpkin on the Patriots tight end depth chart.

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