Brandon LaFell Released by Patriots: Latest Details, Comments and Reaction

The New England Patriots announced they released wide receiver Brandon LaFell on Wednesday after a two-season stint with the reigning AFC East champions.

ESPN's Adam Schefter and Mike Reiss initially reported the news.

After appearing in all 16 games during the 2014 season, LaFell was limited to 11 appearances throughout the 2015 campaign because of a foot injury that forced him to the physically unable to perform list.

Lafell spoke about his release on Instagram:

According to CSN New England's Tom E. Curran, the Patriots will save $4.6 million after cutting LaFell and tight end Scott Chandler—money they can spend in free agency when the new league year starts on March 9. 

Coming off a career year in 2014 that saw LaFell tally a personal-best 74 catches for 953 yards and seven touchdowns, the veteran faltered during his sixth season. 

Season	Games	Targets	Receptions	Rec. Yds	Rec. TD
2014	16	119	74	953	7
2015	11	74	37	515	0

Not only did the foot injury prevent LaFell from stepping on the field until Oct. 25 against the New York Jets, but he managed just 37 catches for 515 yards while failing to hit paydirt. He also recorded more drops than all but five players despite playing a shortened season, per NFL.com's Marc Sessler. 

And as NFL.com's Gregg Rosenthal noted, LaFell seemingly fell out of the Patriots' wide receiver rotation with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line: 

"Being on the PUP, he had a little extra time in terms of starting right at the beginning of the season, but anytime you come in the middle of the year without the full training cycle, the offseason, training camp and all that—you’re always playing catch up," Patriots head coach Bill Belichick said, per NESN.com's Nicholas Goss. 

Now that LaFell is searching for a new home, the Patriots will be in the market for wide receivers when free agency rolls around, per NESN's Doug Kyed: 

As for the six-year vet, LaFell should be able to find a few receiver-needy suitors—even if it means competing for a job throughout training camp. 

LaFell won't turn 30 until November, and with the foot injury behind him, there's a chance he could be a solid bounce-back candidate in the right scheme next season.

No, his speed isn't anything special, but at 6'2'' and 208 pounds, LaFell has the size necessary to operate as a steady possession presence along the boundary.