Two of the best tight ends on the free agent market are officially healthy and competing for attention in hopes of getting a contract before training camps begin. With June 1 cuts in full swing, teams will now have salary cap space to sign another player or two and Jermichael Finley and Dustin Keller are the best available. Now both medically cleared after season-ending injuries in 2013, where do they sign?
According to Mike Reiss of ESPNBoston.com, the Patriots are looking to have first picking of both tight ends. New England is looking to avoid the situation they fell into last year after Aaron Hernandez was arrested and Rob Gronkowski was injured. Depth was a huge issue and while the team has made moves to bring in more bodies, they could still use another tight end to add into the mix. Reiss reports that either Finley or Keller will get a contract within the next week as long as both appear medically fine.
Finley suffered a scary neck injury mid-way through last season, leaving many to believe his career was over. After having fusion surgery on his neck, the tight end rehabbed his way to getting medically cleared by his personal doctor, but still needs the ok from NFL team doctors before anyone will sign him. Keller is in the same boat after tearing multiple ligaments in his knee during a preseason matchup.
The Patriots have been linked to both players for most of the offseason, but have held out on making a move in order to keep a close eye on their health. The team is expecting Gronkowski to have healthy for the start of the season. The tight end says that he has not suffered any setbacks in his recovery, but that will not stop the Patriots from being cautious with depth.
"Just doing what I got to do, improving every week, and that's all I can ask for," Gronkowski said, via Boston Globe. "I just worry about what I've got to do, and what I've got to do right now is rehab and get better. Just take it week by week and day by day from here on out. We'll see what happens and we'll see where I'm at when it all starts."
The Patriots will sign a tight end soon, leaving one still searching for a job. Outside of the Patriots, the Green Bay Packers are looking for receiving help. They are still open to bringing Finley back and might engage in a small bidding war with New England is need be. The Miami Dolphins and New York Jets are also in the mix for more receiving help and could glance the way of either player.