The New England Patriots parted ways with wide receiver Jalen Reagor on Tuesday, releasing him from their practice squad just days before their Week 3 matchup against the New York Jets. The timing of the move raised eyebrows, as it came shortly after Reagor posted and then deleted a cryptic Instagram story, leaving fans to speculate about the reasons behind his sudden departure.
The now-deleted post featured a popular meme showing a luxury Bugatti sports car parked in front of a modest, run-down house. The imagery sparked widespread interpretation, with many believing that Reagor was likening himself to the Bugatti — a high-performance, high-value asset — while comparing the Patriots’ practice squad to the humble house. This subtle jab seemed to suggest that Reagor felt his talents were being wasted in his current role with the team.
Despite the stir caused by the social media post, Doug Kyed of The Boston Herald reported that Reagor’s release was not directly related to the Instagram story. However, Kyed noted that the wide receiver had previously voiced similar frustrations internally, indicating that his dissatisfaction with his standing in the organization had been brewing for some time.
Reagor, 25, entered the NFL with high expectations as the No. 21 overall pick in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Selected by the Philadelphia Eagles, he was chosen just one pick ahead of Justin Jefferson, who has since emerged as one of the league’s top receivers for the Minnesota Vikings. Unfortunately, Reagor’s NFL journey has not followed the same trajectory. In four seasons, he has bounced between three teams — the Eagles, Vikings, and Patriots — and has struggled to live up to his first-round potential.
RELATED: Former Patriots Super Bowl Champ Unleashes Harsh Criticism of Mac Jones in NSFW Rant
In his 56 career games, Reagor has logged 79 receptions for 937 yards and four touchdowns, far from the production expected from a player drafted so highly. His brief stint with the Patriots was another chapter in his career that failed to gain traction.
Although he initially made New England’s 53-man roster, he was quickly cut and re-signed to the practice squad, where he remained unable to surpass other wide receivers on the depth chart. The Patriots’ current receiving corps includes players like K.J. Osborn, DeMario Douglas, Tyquan Thornton, and Kayshon Boutte, along with the injured Kendrick Bourne.
Reagor’s public display of frustration, combined with his internal dissatisfaction, likely played a role in the Patriots’ decision to move on from him. After all, in a team environment as structured and disciplined as the Patriots, public airing of grievances often doesn’t sit well with the organization.
Now, Reagor will once again hit free agency, seeking a fresh start with another team. Whether he can turn things around and reclaim the promise he showed as a top draft pick remains to be seen, but for now, his future in the NFL remains uncertain.
