The New England Patriots just made a roster move that’s been brewing for a minute, officially waiving tight end Mitch Van Vooren. This wasn’t some random cut, though, it was the direct follow-up to signing veteran offensive lineman Greg Van Roten as a free agent. That move was necessary to keep the team under the offseason roster limit, so someone had to go. No surprises on who got the axe.
Unsurprising, Right?
Seriously, if you watched the Patriots’ preseason opener against the Colts last Thursday, this move probably didn’t even make you blink. Van Vooren, a second-year tight end, saw just *three* offensive snaps. That’s literally the fewest of any of the 29 offensive players who stepped onto the field. Think about that. Three. Snaps. And stats? Zero. He chipped in a couple of special teams snaps, sure, but his lack of quality opportunities wasn’t just a one-game thing. Since he arrived in New England ahead of training camp, it’s been a major uphill battle for the 25-year-old, not just for the final 53-man roster, but even the practice squad. When Van Roten came aboard, Van Vooren being let go now was utterly predictable.
Tight End Room Just Got Real
Now, with Van Vooren out, the Patriots’ tight end depth chart looks different, and the competition just got way more intense. The active group is down to five guys: Hunter Henry, Eli Raridon, Tanner Arkin, Jack Westover, and C.J. Dippre. Julian Hill is still on IR, but for the guys actually hitting the field, the battle is fierce. Henry and Raridon are pretty much locked in, no doubt. That leaves Arkin, Westover, and Dippre fighting for what could be just one, *maybe* two, open spots on that coveted 53-man squad. Undrafted rookie Tanner Arkin was looking like the frontrunner after an eventful start to his training camp, even if he’s gone a little quiet lately. How these remaining tight ends perform in the coming weeks is going to be HUGE. It’ll decide if the team goes two or three deep at tight end, or if they prioritize another depth piece elsewhere. What’s clear is Van Vooren won’t be influencing that decision at all.
Zero Cap Impact, All Clear
And for those always checking the books, don’t worry, this isn’t going to rock the boat for the Patriots’ salary cap one bit. Van Vooren signed a one-year deal that was entirely non-guaranteed, an $885,000 base salary. That figure wasn’t even high enough to count toward the Top 51 list, so he had zero actual impact on the cap from day one. His release changes absolutely nothing on the books. It’s a clean break, financially. Of course, he wasn’t working for free during his four weeks in Foxborough; every player gets per-diem during training camp, and as a first-year player, he was pulling in $2,000 a week. But for the team’s bottom line, it’s a non-factor.
So, while Van Vooren’s departure was expected, it undeniably sharpens the focus on the remaining tight ends battling it out. Every single snap, every block, every catch counts now for Arkin, Westover, and Dippre. The roster is far from set, and these preseason games are going to be absolutely critical for these young guys to prove they deserve a spot. Who steps up next? That’s the real question.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pats Pulpit.
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