Patriots WR Eric Decker announces retirement

The Patriots are down another veteran wide receiver.

Eric Decker announced his retirement on Sunday as the Patriots receiving depth chart takes another hit. The 31-year-old signed with the Pats on Aug. 2, but it became clear that his path to the 53-man roster was an uphill climb. During Friday’s preseason game in Carolina, Decker still wasn’t taking reps with Tom Brady.

Decker announced his retirement on his

The Patriots are down another veteran wide receiver.

Eric Decker announced his retirement on Sunday as the Patriots receiving depth chart takes another hit. The 31-year-old signed with the Pats on Aug. 2, but it became clear that his path to the 53-man roster was an uphill climb. During Friday’s preseason game in Carolina, Decker still wasn’t taking reps with Tom Brady.

Decker announced his retirement on his Instagram page.

“It has been my childhood dream and my passion to play the game of football,” Decker wrote. “I was very fortunate and blessed to have had the opportunity to have those dreams fulfilled and to have played with such extremely talented and hard-working teammates, coaches and staff. This has been a passion inside of me since I was a little boy but I know now it is time to hang my helmet up and start a new chapter in my life. I love football and always will.

“It will continue to be a part of my life. I’m looking forward to spending more time with my wife and kids. I want to give a special thank you to my family, friends and fans for all your supposed on this incredible journey. It’s been a amazing chapter in my life. I look forward to the future and the many adventures ahead!”

A veteran of nine seasons, Decker got his start in Denver with then-head coach Josh McDaniels. After playing for the Broncos, New York Jets and Tennessee Titans, the 6-foot-3 receiver signed with the Patriots this summer as the team searches for offensive weapons.

This offseason, the Patriots have run into some bad luck with the position. This summer, the team has released Malcolm Mitchell, Jordan Matthews and Kenny Britt. All three players dealt with injuries. On top of that, Julian Edelman will be suspended for the first four games. The Pats brought in Decker with the hope that his familiarity with McDaniels’ offensive system would make him a quick study. It didn’t turn out that way.

Decker struggled with drops in practice. He also dropped the first pass that came his way in the preseason against Philadelphia. This past week, Decker caught two passes for 12 yards, but both were from backup Brian Hoyer. Meanwhile, Chris Hogan, Phillip Dorsett, Cordarrelle Patterson and Riley McCarron were all playing with Brady. At this moment, Hogan, Dorsett and Patterson are roster locks. The Pats also have Braxton Berrios, Devin Lucien and Paul Turner on the roster.

After Friday’s game against the Panthers, Decker looked like a long shot to stick around, so Sunday’s announcement probably wasn’t a surprise for the Patriots coaching staff.