NFL: Patriots: Decker announces career end

The New England Patriots are slowly but surely running out of players: After the Pats split up with Kenny Britt a few days ago, Eric Decker announced his retirement on Sunday.

Decker told via Instagram: “It was my childhood dream and my passion to play football. I was fortunate and blessed with the opportunity to fulfill this dream and was able to work with many hard-working and talented players and coaches. I’ve had the passion since I was a little boy, but I know it’s time to break up and start a new chapter.”

He continued: “I love football and I always will. It will continue to be a part of my life. I look forward to spending more time with my wife and children. I would like to thank my family, friends and fans for their support. It has been an incredible chapter in my life and I look forward to the future and the many adventures that await me.”

Over the past few days, there have been more and more reports that Decker would probably not make it into the Regular Season squad in New England – although the Patriots in the Receiving Corps are rather thinly positioned. New England had signed Decker, who never regained his strength after a shoulder operation during the 2016 season, at the beginning of the training camp, who had problems during training with drops, among other things.

Without Britt and Decker and in view of Julian Edelman’s suspension for the first four Regular Season games, it will be exciting to see the composition of the Wide Receiver Corps in New England. Apart from Chris Hogan, everything is open, Phillip Dorsett and Cordarrelle Patterson seem to have a serious chance of starting.