A week after losing their longest tenured player in Tom Brady, the Patriots officially released their second longest on Monday, kicker Stephen Gostkowski.
Head Coach Bill Belichick wrote a special statement praising his starting placekicker of 14 seasons.
Gostkowski brought stability back to the kicking position after replacing a legend in Adam Vinatieri.
In 2006, Gostkowski was drafted in the fourth round (118th overall) out of the University of Memphis.
A four time Pro Bowl selection, a three-time Super Bowl champion in six appearances, Gostkowski is the Patriots all-time leading scorer and holds an NFL record with 479 consecutive extra points made.