It looks like the New England Patriots will be passing on an older-but-effective tight end on the free agency market.

On Friday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that free-agent tight end Greg Olsen has finished up his offseason visits, seemingly taking the Patriots out of the running. Now, Schefter reports that the veteran tight end has started negotiations with three teams: the Buffalo Bills, Washington Redskins and Seattle Seahawks.

Olsen was released by the Carolina Panthers earlier this month, making him a free agent before the start of the new year.

The Patriots, meanwhile, are in dire need of tight end help after a 2019 season where the position was largely considered a non-factor. Following the retirement of Rob Gronkowski, the team used a combination of Ben Watson, Ryan Izzo and Matt LaCosse to little effect in the passing game.

Olsen will turn 35 next month, but is still considered an effective pass catcher, logging 52 receptions for 597 yards in 2019.

Olsen himself noted during Fox’s Super Bowl pregame broadcast that he expected the Patriots to pursue him.

“They’re trying to get Gronk back. If they don’t get him, I’m like third in line,” Olsen said, via The Athletic’s Jeff Howe.

Despite the connection, the Patriots were not among the teams who are reported to have made contact with Olsen. The team now heads to free agency and the NFL Draft with the expectation that tight end will be chief among the needs that will be addressed.