If the New England Patriots want to add an established tight end in free agency, they're running out of options.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are signing free-agent Eric Ebron to a two-year contract worth $12 million, NFL Media's Ian Rapoport reported Friday.
The Patriots reportedly had interest in the 26-year-old tight end, who made the Pro Bowl with the Indianapolis Colts in 2018 while catching 13 touchdown passes.
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With talented pass-catchers like Austin Hooper, Hunter Henry and Jacob Hollister off the board, the free-agent tight end market is starting to thin out.
Here are a few names still on the board as of Friday:
Tyler Eifert (29 years old)
Jordan Reed (30)
Delanie Walker (36)
Geoff Swaim (26)
Luke Stocker (32)
Charles Clay (31)
Vernon Davis (36)
Nick O'Leary (28)
New England Patriots
Eifert is an intriguing target but comes with injury concerns after playing in six games total between the 2017 and 2018 seasons.
The Patriots also could pursue tight end help via trade or the 2020 NFL Draft, which has a few talented tight end prospects -- Dayton's Adam Trautman and LSU's Thaddeus Moss among them -- who could be early-round selections.
What's clear is that New England needs the help: Ryan Izzo and Matt LaCosse, the only two tight ends on the roster after Ben Watson retired, combined for just 19 receptions last season.