Chad Ochocinco is on the way out in New England.
The Patriots attempted to trade Ochocinco and weren’t able to find any takers, and as a result they’ll release him, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Ochocinco’s departure comes after just one season in New England, a season in which he contributed almost nothing to the offense: He caught just 15 passes for 276 yards in 2011.
The 34-year-old Ochocinco, who was once a Pro Bowler with the Bengals and a consistent 1,000-yard receiver, will now become an unrestricted free agent. Given that the Patriots weren’t able to find any takers on the trade market -- and given his weak production in New England last season -- he’s likely going to find few teams interested in his services in free agency.
Ochocinco joins Terrell Owens, Braylon Edwards and Plaxico Burress as once-productive veteran receivers who are now on the free agent market, and who seem to be viewed as more trouble than they’re worth by most NFL teams.