The New England Patriots just swooped in on Tuesday to claim wide receiver Tejhaun Palmer off waivers, and in a gut-punch corresponding move, rookie tight end Jeremiah Franklin is officially out. Talk about a swift change-up for a guy just trying to make his mark in the league.
Palmer Gets a New Shot in New England
This isn’t Palmer’s first rodeo, but it’s a big fresh start. The 26-year-old wideout was originally a sixth-round draft pick by the Arizona Cardinals back in 2024, coming out of UAB. He spent pretty much all of his first two NFL seasons grinding it out on the practice squad. It wasn’t until January 3rd of this year that he finally got the call-up to Arizona’s active roster. He even saw some action in their regular-season finale! But that was it for his time in Arizona. The Cardinals waived him on Monday, clearing the path for the Pats to grab him off waivers. This is a chance for Palmer to show if that late-season glimpse of action was a sign of what’s to come.
Franklin’s Dreams Derailed After Quick Stint
Meanwhile, this move is brutal news for 22-year-old rookie tight end Jeremiah Franklin. He had just signed with the Patriots as a rookie free agent from Boston College on July 24th. That’s barely two weeks, man! He was a solid college player, appearing in 41 games during his four seasons at Boston College. Over that time, he hauled in 93 receptions for 1,010 yards and scored six touchdowns. Those are some respectable college numbers, and he was hoping to translate that into an NFL career. Now, just weeks after signing, he’s looking for a new home. It’s tough out there for a rookie trying to catch a break.
So, the Patriots shuffle their roster, adding a guy with some pro experience while cutting ties with a fresh face. Palmer’s got to hit the ground running to prove his worth, and Franklin’s in a battle to keep his NFL dream alive. The regular season is already here, and these roster moves are only getting more intense.
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Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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