Report: Former Cardinals WR Damiere Byrd signing with Patriots
Mar 17, 2020, 6:02 PM
Wide receiver Damiere Byrd #14 of the Arizona Cardinals during a preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers at State Farm Stadium on August 08, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Former Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Damiere Byrd is signing with the New England Patriots, according to the NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.
After spending his first three NFL seasons with the Carolina Panthers, the undrafted Byrd had a breakout fourth season in Arizona.
Byrd was able to separate himself in the preseason from a group that included rookies KeeSean Johnson, Andy Isabella and Hakeem Butler for some of the wideout targets beyond Larry Fitzgerald and Christian Kirk. He not only made the roster but also an impact during the season, catching 32 balls for 459 yards and a touchdown. Byrd finished fourth on the team in receptions.
On Monday, the Cardinals agreed to a deal with the Houston Texans involving All-Pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins. With Hopkins, Fitzgerald, Kirk and the 2019 draftees in the fold, there figured to be little room for Byrd on the 2020 roster.
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Byrd heads to New England, where there is uncertainty surrounding who will be throwing him the football. Former quarterback and free agent Tom Brady announced Tuesday he will not be returning to the team and has reportedly agreed to a deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Arizona has already been busy this offseason beyond trading for Hopkins, as they signed offensive tackle D.J. Humphries to a contract extension and also brought in defensive tackle Jordan Phillips on a three-year deal. They also placed the transition tag on running back Kenyan Drake.
