Quick Facts
Biography
Matthew Lengel (born December 27, 1990) is an American football tight end for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). He was signed by the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent in 2015. He played college football at Eastern Kentucky. He caught his first career reception from Tom Brady, an 18-yard touchdown, on December 24, 2016.
College career
Lengel redshirted his freshmen year in 2009 at Northeastern University before transferring to Eastern Kentucky the following year, after NU shut down its football program. He played in 37 games over five seasons (2010-2014), totaling 33 catches for 361 yards. He suffered a torn ACL in the 2012 season opener and missed the entire season. He re-injured the same knee the following year after starting the first two games in 2013.
Professional career
Cincinnati Bengals
Lengel signed with the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent on May 8, 2015. He was released on September 5, 2015, and was signed to the practice squad the next day, where he spent his entire rookie season. He signed a reserve/future contract with the Bengals on January 11, 2016.
Lengel was released by the Bengals on September 3, 2016, and was signed to the practice squad the next day.
New England Patriots
On November 2, 2016, Lengel was signed by the Patriots off the Bengals' practice squad after the Patriots lost tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Greg Scruggs to injuries.
On December 24, 2016, Lengel caught his first career touchdown on his first career reception against the New York Jets, on an 18-yard pass from Tom Brady. On January 1, 2016 Lengel caught his second career catch from Tom Brady that went for 4 yards. He finished up the regular season in 2016 with 2 catches for 22 yards and a touchdown.