A day after they reportedly brought him in for a physical, the Patriots have agreed to a one-year deal with veteran wide receiver Reggie Wayne, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Wayne, 36, caught 64 passes for 779 yards in 15 regular season games for the Colts last season, and has solidified himself one of the most productive receivers in NFL history.
The six-time Pro Bowler and a First-Team All-Pro selection in 2010 was drafted by the Colts in the first round in 2001. After 14 seasons in the league, he leads all active wideouts in receptions and receiving yards, and he ranks seventh and eight respectively all-time in those categories.
Wayne suffered an ACL injury that ended his 2013 season after seven games, but he has been extremely durable over the course of his career, playing in all 16 regular-season games for 11 consecutive seasons from 2002-12.
Though he may not be the explosive athlete he was earlier in his career, Wayne was still recognized by Patriots coach Bill Belichick as a dangerous receiver late last season.
"Yeah, he’s still really good at everything," Belichick said before a Week 11 game between the Patriots and Colts. "[He’s] obviously a real smart and experienced guy. Knows how to set up routes, make all of his routes look the same. Does a great job of releasing, and then at the top of his routes being able to create separation at just the right time when the quarterback is ready to throw. He’s been a key guy for them in critical situations and third down-type situations. I’m sure that there’s a lot of confidence that he’s going to be open and he usually is."
Belichick noted that Wayne's role in the Colts offense was different from the one he manned earlier in his career, but that didn't make him any less of a threat.
New England Patriots
"They move him around," Belichick said at the time. "He plays a decent amount in the slot, but also out on the perimeter where we saw him for so many years in their former offensive system. But he’s probably a little more in the slot now with [Hakeem] Nicks and Hilton outside. But they move all those guys around so finding him is a problem. He’s still a very dangerous receiver, clutch player and a guy who really, when they need a play, they’re not afraid to go to him and he’ll deliver for them."
In a conference call with Patriots reporters last year, Wayne was asked how he goes about fending off "Father Time."
"It's just a will to win," he said. "I just want to win. I've dealt with an ACL last year. Did a lot of rehabbing, a lot of thinking. During that time I realized that I still love this game. I still love this game of football and I want to go out and play the game that I love. I've been dreaming of being an NFL player since I was 7 years old and I still have an opportunity to fulfill that dream.
"I wouldn't say I've beat Father Time. He's jabbing me, don't get me wrong now. But it's definitely an opportunity just to do the things that I love. We got a young team, I enjoy playing with these guys. They keep me on my toes. They keep me laughing. It doesn't feel like a job. It still feels like I'm living the dream. As long as I feel that way, I'm going to do my best to continue to play."
Though Wayne said he never considered playing for the Patriots when he became a free agent in 2012 -- "I was Colts Nation all day," he said -- he clearly revered Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and how he's sustained success over a similarly-long NFL career.
"I think he's jabbing Father Time," Wayne said. "When you sit back and you watch him, he still looks like the same calm and collected guy that sits back there and takes what the defense gives him. And he just picks you apart. That's one thing I think our defense realizes. If we're not on our Ps and Qs, it can get ugly real fast."
Wayne won't have to worry about that now as he'll be catching passes from Brady very soon.