Patriots keep churning at wide receiver and tight end spots, claiming Tejhaun Palmer off waivers from Cardinals

The New England Patriots added another veteran body to their receiving group on Tuesday, claiming wide receiver Tejhaun Palmer off waivers after his release from the Arizona Cardinals. The move came as part of a two-transaction day for New England, with a corresponding roster decision that sent tight end Jeremiah Franklin out in tandem.

In the weeks leading into the regular season, waiver claims are often less about headline-level additions and more about testing fit. For the Patriots, Palmer’s arrival indicates a continued search for reliable depth at wide receiver, particularly as teams narrow the number of players who will be carried into the season. Being claimed off waivers also means New England saw enough on tape or in workout information to justify taking on the roster spot.

Palmer’s path to New England began in Arizona, where he was released before clearing the waiver process. Once a player is waived, the first priority is typically determined by waiver order, and claims reflect immediate interest from other clubs. While the Patriots did not publicly explain the exact football reasoning in the report, the transactional nature of the move suggests they are weighing multiple options for the back half of the roster, including special teams availability and readiness for different offensive packages.

The Patriots’ second move involved Franklin, a tight end whose departure was described as “corresponding” to the Palmer claim. In practical roster terms, that kind of pairing helps teams manage the numbers: adding a player generally requires making room, and a waiver of a player at the same time indicates the team is actively reallocating roster value across positions rather than holding all decisions until the final cutdown date.

Tight end remains a position where roles can vary widely based on scheme and personnel. Even when a team believes in the core of its depth at tight end, changes can be frequent as coaches compare blocking, pass-catching separation, route timing, and versatility across the formation. Franklin’s waiver therefore fits a broader pattern for teams in the late summer: keep the group competitive and responsive to how the offense looks in live periods.

For fans, the impact is likely to show up first not in the starting lineup but in practice tempo and who gets work with the quarterbacks during team periods. A waiver claim can also affect special teams rotations, because coaches often use roster turnover to refine those units as the season approaches. The Patriots will be watching quickly whether Palmer can earn more consistent practice reps, align with the route concepts being emphasized, and handle the physical demands of an NFL playbook.

What to watch next is whether New England keeps working the waiver wire in similar fashion or pivots to stabilizing its two-deep and special teams depth. If Palmer remains with the team through the next phase of roster trimming, his presence could also shape how the Patriots evaluate their receiving depth and tight end usage. If he does not, the Patriots’ pattern would remain consistent: keep adding options, learn in practice, and make further moves before the season begins.