Matt Sokol

New England Patriots
Tight End #81
New England Patriots
Tight End #81

Matt Sokol News

Signs new deal with Pats

New England signed Sokol to a reserve/future contract Tuesday.

Analysis: Sokol was claimed off waivers by the Patriots in May before being signed to the team's practice squad. The 26-year-old tight end was then elevated for three games this regular season, including each of the final two weeks. Sokol still did not log a target during the 2022 campaign, and he'll now look to record the first reception of his NFL career heading into the 2023 season.

Jan 10, 2023 8:39 PM EST


Shifts back to practice squad

Sokol reverted to the Patriots' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's transaction log.

Analysis: Sokol was brought up for Sunday's regular-season finale loss to Buffalo with No. 2 tight end Jonnu Smith (concussion) inactive for the second time in as many weeks. However, the practice-squad tight end went without a target for the third game in a row this season, as he played just offensive snaps behind Hunter Henry, the latter of whom played all 68 offensive snaps. Sokol will now enter the offseason still in search of the first reception of his career.

Jan 9, 2023 8:33 PM EST



Brought back up to active roster

The Patriots elevated Sokol from the practice squad for Sunday's game against the Bills.

Analysis: Sokol will be elevated for the second game in a row to end the 2022 regular season. The 27-year-old was brought up ahead of the Week 17 game against Miami and played 10 offensive snaps in place of Jonnu Smith (concussion), though he did not see a target against the Dolphins. With Smith remaining out Week 18, Sokol should once again serve as New England's only other available tight end other than starter Hunter Henry.

Jan 7, 2023 4:13 PM EST


Put back on practice squad

The Patriots' reverted Sokol to their practice squad Monday.

Analysis: Sokol was brought up to the active roster ahead of Week 17's win over Miami while No. 2 tight end Jonnu Smith sat out with a concussion. Sokol logged 10 snaps against the Dolphins and didn't see any targets. He could be moved up to the active roster again Week 18 if Smith is forced to miss the must-win affair against Buffalo, though the bulk of work at tight end will likely go to Hunter Henry, who tallied 60 snaps and caught five of six targets for 52 yards Week 17.

Jan 2, 2023 7:20 PM EST


Elevated for Week 17

The Patriots elevated Sokol from their practice squad to the active roster ahead of Week 17's contest against Miami, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: Sokol was previously elevated for the Week 5 win over Detroit, and he played eight offensive snaps in that contest, though he didn't receive any targets or record any stats. Jonnu Smith (concussion) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Dolphins, and Hunter Henry (knee) is questionable, so Sokol could be in line for a healthy dose of snaps.

Dec 31, 2022 4:19 PM EST



Bumped back to practice squad

Sokol reverted to the Patriots' practice squad following Sunday's 29-0 win over the Lions.

Analysis: Sokol was elevated from the practice squad for the first time this season with No. 2 tight end Jonnu Smith (ankle) ruled inactive ahead of Sunday's win over Detroit. As a result, the 26-year-old played eight of New England's 60 offensive snaps behind starter Hunter Henry, though he did not attract a target from starting quarterback Bailey Zappe. Sokol will now be eligible for two more such elevations while on the Patriots' practice squad this season.

Oct 10, 2022 5:45 PM EST


Elevated to active roster

The Patriots elevated Sokol on Saturday from their practice squad to their active roster for Sunday's game against the Lions.

Analysis: Sokol failed to make the Patriots' initial 53-man roster, but he joined the practice squad after clearing waivers and is in line to make his season debut in Week 5. He'll likely operate as the primary backup to Hunter Henry with Jonnu Smith (ankle) unlikely to play.

Oct 8, 2022 8:51 PM EST


Joins New England practice squad

Sokol has been added to the Patriots' practice squad.

Analysis: Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith are entrenched as the Patriots' top two tight end options, but Sokol gives the team an in-house promotion option should added depth be needed at the position as the season progresses.

Aug 31, 2022 3:29 PM EST


Waived by New England

The Patriots waived Sokol on Tuesday.

Analysis: The Patriots completely overhauled their tight end room, leaving only Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith on the initial 53-man roster. The 26-year-old last played in the NFL with the Chargers in 2020, appearing in two games.

Aug 30, 2022 4:43 PM EST


Joins Patriots

Sokol was claimed off waivers by the Patriots on Wednesday, Chris Mason of Masslive reports.

Analysis: Sokol signed a reserve/future contract with the Lions in January, but he was ultimately waived last Tuesday. The 26-year-old last played in the NFL with the Chargers in 2020, appearing in two games. He'll likely compete with the duo of 2020 third round selections, Devin Asiasi and Dalton Keene for a roster spot.

May 16, 2022 11:22 AM EST


Let go by Lions

Sokol was waived by the Lions on Tuesday.

Analysis: Sokol had signed a reserve/future contract with the Lions in January, after spending 2021 on the Jaguars' and Chargers' practice squads. The former Michigan State product last played in 2020 for the Chargers, seeing action in two games, but never tallied a stat.

May 10, 2022 3:25 PM EST


Signs with Lions

The Lions signed Sokol to a reserve/future contract Wednesday.

Analysis: Sokol was waived by the Chargers in late August and will now attempt to carve out a role with Detroit to begin the offseason. He appeared in two games with the Chargers in 2020 but didn't see any targets.

Jan 12, 2022 1:18 PM EST


Let go by Chargers

Sokol was waived by the Chargers on Monday.

Analysis: Sokol was buried on the Chargers' depth chart at tight end, which makes this decision relatively unsurprising. He spent the latter half of last season on their practice squad after getting dropped by Detroit. He is now set to again look for a new destination.

Aug 30, 2021 4:48 PM EST


Signed to active roster

Sokol was elevated from the Chargers' practice squad Friday.

Analysis: Positions have recently opened up on Los Angeles' active roster, with both Casey Hayward (hamstring) and Malik Jefferson (shoulder) getting moved to injured reserve. The 25-year-old tight end will have an opportunity at a second consecutive appearance to close out the 2020 campaign, this time against the defending-champion Chiefs. During his NFL debut Week 16 against Denver, Sokol fielded all 13 of his snaps on special teams.

Jan 1, 2021 3:43 PM EST


Heads back to practice squad

Sokol reverted to the Chargers' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's official transaction log.

Analysis: Sokol registered 13 special-teams snaps during Sunday's 19-16 win over Denver, but he negatively impacted the team with a holding penalty on a fourth-quarter punt return. The tight end remains a developmental option for Los Angeles, with a Week 16 appearance marking the first of his career.

Dec 28, 2020 5:28 PM EST


Promoted to active roster

Sokol was elevated to the Chargers' active roster from the practice squad Saturday, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.

Analysis: The 25-year-old joined the Chargers' practice squad in late October after being let go by the Lions, and he'll be a gameday elevation for Week 16. Sokol has yet to make his NFL debut since going undrafted out of Michigan State in 2019.

Dec 26, 2020 6:39 PM EST


Inks practice squad deal

The Chargers signed Sokol to the practice squad Saturday, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Analysis: Sokol was let go from the Lions' practice squad last week, but he'll get a fresh start in Los Angeles. The second-year tight end out of Michigan State has yet to make his NFL debut. With Virgil Green (ankle) on IR, Sokol will add depth at the position in case another tight end gets hurt.

Oct 31, 2020 4:11 PM EST


Shown door in Detroit

The Lions cut Sokol from the practice squad Saturday.

Analysis: Isaac Nauta jumped Sokol in the pecking order and was elevated to the active roster Saturday, and the Lions opted to let Sokol go. Sokol is still seeking his NFL debut, as the Michigan State product didn't play at all during his 2019 rookie season and has yet to make an appearance this year. He'll seek a fresh start elsewhere.

Oct 25, 2020 7:39 AM EST


Placed on waivers

The Lions waived Sokol on Saturday, Kyle Meinke of MLive.com reports.

Analysis: Sokol competed for a run-blocking role with Detroit, but he lost to undrafted rookie Hunter Bryant (leg), who likely has more pass-catching upside. If Sokol clears waivers, he's likely a practice-squad candidate with the Lions carrying just three tight ends.

Sep 6, 2020 8:16 AM EST


Signs reserve/future contract

Sokol signed a reserve/future contract with the Lions on Tuesday.

Analysis: Sokol spent time on the Chargers' and Jaguars' practice squads this season, but he has yet to make his NFL debut. The Michigan State product will look to make the most of his time in Detroit's system.

Dec 31, 2019 9:47 AM EST


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