Loyalty over money: Patriots rookie TE CJ Dippre just turned down multiple NFL teams to stay in New England, choosing loyalty, culture, and Mike Vrabel’s leadership over a guaranteed spot on the 53-man roster elsewhere.

Nov 21, 2025

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Rookie tight end turned down multiple NFL teams to stay with Patriots

New England Patriots v Minnesota Vikings - NFL Preseason 2025 — CJ Dippre #82 of the New England Patriots warms up prior to the NFL Preseason 2025 game between New England Patriots and Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on August 16, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Patriots defeated the Vikings 20-12.

This year, the rookie spent the first 11 weeks of the season on Mike Vrabel’s practice squad. A highly sought-after undrafted free agent, Dippre told MassLive that multiple teams wanted him to leave New England and sign with their 53-man roster.

In the end, Dippre enjoyed being a part of the Patriots franchise, and the team reciprocated that feeling. This week, the organization rewarded the tight end by signing him to their 53-man roster.

“Yeah, there were other teams that were interested in signing me, and I didn’t really want to leave. They didn’t really want me to leave,” Dippre told MassLive. “So, it was kind of a thing that I wanted to stay here, earn my right here, and play here. I know all these guys, love this team, love the coaching staff.”

Dippre finished his collegiate career at Alabama, finishing with 21 catches for 256 yards last season. He caught 65 passes for 782 yards and three touchdowns in four seasons split between Maryland and the Crimson Tide.

An athletic tight end, Dippre was projected to be drafted on Day 3 of the 2025 NFL Draft. Considered one of the best undrafted players, he signed with the Patriots this offseason.

After being cut at the end of training camp, Dippre signed with the team’s practice squad. He said he took that job seriously. For him, it’s nice that the hard work paid off with a spot on the Patriots’ active roster.

“Yeah, it’s definitely awesome,” Dippre said. “I didn’t look short of the practice squad opportunity. I still think that was a big opportunity. Just being in the league, learning, being under great vets in my room, being under great vets on the team. So just learning under that phase and then coming up to be on that active roster is definitely cool.”

When other teams came calling this season, Dippre said he didn’t want to leave New England in part due to how Vrabel runs the Patriots.

“Obviously, I’m a rookie, so this is my first NFL team I’ve been at,” Dippre said. “And just over the last couple months, how people work, how people keep up on each other, respect each other. The team identity, obviously, is a big thing. I grew up like that, how coach Vrabel’s team identity and our team identity are, so I believe in that strongly, and that’s tied into what we do.

“… It’s awesome to show that the work isn’t going unnoticed and I’m working in the right direction.”