The Patriots have terminated Waters' contract. Previously, the six-time pro bowler had been on the Reserve/Did Not Report list following his failure to report to the team last season.
Guard Brian Waters is officially no longer a member of the England Patriots now that the team has terminated his contract. As first reported by ESPN Boston's Field Yates, the Patriots have terminated Waters' contract. Previously, the six-time pro bowler had been on the Reserve/Did Not Report list following his failure to report to the team last season.
Following his excellent first season in Foxboro, which earned him his sixth Pro Bowl selection, Waters considered retirement. However,his hesitation lasted long into training camp, and eventually into the season, leaving the guard's status as an NFL player in limbo. While there were reports that Waters' intentions were to play somewhere closer to his home in Texas, the Patriots refused to budge on his contractual obligation to finish out the remainder of his two-year deal in New England.
Reports emerged late last season that there were talks about bringing Waters back into the fold late in the year, and that the team even offered him a raise to do so. However, no settlement had been reached prior to the deadline to activate players from the Reserve/Did Not Report list.
While he's heavily hinted at it, Waters has never officially announced his decision to retire. As it stands, the guard is currently an unrestricted free agent and may sign with any team. The Patriots may have been unable to coax Waters into coming to play for them last season. However, he may end up choosing to play for a team in Texas, which would allow him to stay close to his family.