All eyes are on Matt LaCosse as the Patriots try to replace Rob Gronkowski. ▲

FOXBORO — There's no need to sugarcoat it. Matt LaCosse knows that. He defines his brief NFL journey as "sporadic." That's one way to put it.

This tight end's NFL career could've ended long ago. That would've been the easy route. An undrafted free agent in 2015, his first experience in the league lasted five days. His first month in the NFL included him being waived twice by two different teams — the New York Giants and New York Jets.

That wouldn't be the only time he received his walking papers in the last four years.

"I've been fired four times. This is my fifth year," LaCosse said. "I started off with New York. I got fired, got cut the first day of training camp. Came back, went to practice squad, got pulled up to active roster. Next year, got put on IR all year. The following year I made the team, but got cut in Week 12. Went to Denver. Played in Denver that year and last year."

LaCosse's NFL journey has taken him coast-to-coast. After two stints with the Giants, a cup of coffee with the Jets and a couple of years in Denver, this 26-year-old finds himself in New England with the biggest opportunity of his career.

"Now I'm here," LaCosse said. "I've been around, but it's been a blessing. I was undrafted. I worked my tail off to get here. I'm so excited for this opportunity with this team."

For LaCosse, who signed a two-year deal with the Patriots in March, this is not just a chance to prove he's a starting-caliber tight end. It's a chance to replace the legendary Rob Gronkowski and put up career numbers alongside Tom Brady.

When Gronk retired in March — it was a slight surprise to the Patriots who operated the first two weeks of free agency like their All-Pro tight end was returning. When the dust settled, LaCosse was one of two new tight ends on the roster. He'll compete with Ben Watson, Stephen Anderson, Ryan Izzo and Andrew Beck for playing time. Although it was thought that Watson would begin the season as the starter, his four-game suspension puts LaCosse at the top of the depth chart.

Of course, this is why he signed with the Patriots in the first place. When determining his next move, LaCosse said he couldn't pass up an opportunity to play in Foxboro.

"It's the Patriots. I just think that right there stands alone — if you want to win," LaCosse said. "I've played in one playoff game in my career. You still have to go out and work hard. That doesn't mean it's a given every year. I think the way this team is working and getting to know each other, I think it's a great place."

From 2015-2017, LaCosse played in seven total games, catching three passes for 22 yards with the Giants and Broncos. Last season, he showed he could be a contributor in the NFL. Due to several injuries to other tight ends in Denver, LaCosse played more last season than the previous three years combined. In 15 games, he caught 24 passes for 250 yards and a touchdown.

"I think the best way to put it, I made the best of the opportunities," LaCosse said. "Unfortunately, some of my best friends got injured, but I was able to step up and help the team win. I wouldn't say I had an amazing year. Someone said breakout, I'm like, 'I had 25 catches.' It was no 'breakout' but it was a good year."

That season, however, was good enough for LaCosse to earn a contract with the Patriots. For someone who was released several times in the early part of his career, things are coming together for this 6-foot-6, 255-pound tight end with an intriguing skill set.

On the football field, LaCosse describes his game as "multiple."

"Wherever you need me to go, I can go," LaCosse said. "If you need me on the line, if you need me to block, if you need me in the backfield, if you need me out wide. Special teams. I'm just a multiple player that's willing to do whatever the team needs me to do."

How about replacing a legend?