The Patriots have released fullback Dan Vitale, as Jim McBride of the Boston Globe tweets. To take his place on the roster, the Pats have added tight end Troy Fumagalli. 
Vitale joined the Patriots last year, but opted out of the 2020 season in the midst of the pandemic. Vitale was one of the first NFL players to take the opt-out, following Chiefs guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, Ravens wideout De’Anthony Thomas, Seahawks guard Chance Warmack and Cowboys cornerback Maurice Canady. Before that, Vitale played 170 snaps for the Packers in 2019, catching 12 passes for 97 yards.
Fumagalli came into the league as a 2018 fifth-round pick of the Broncos. After missing his rookie year due to injury, he went on to appear in 19 games for the Broncos between ’19 and ’20. All in all, he’s notched 14 grabs for 118 yards and two scores. He’ll have his work cut out for him as the Patriots’ TE group already includes Jonnu Smith, Hunter Henry, Dalton Keene, Devin Asiasi, and Matt LaCosse.
It looks like the Pats are trying to emulate the Bears from last year, but it’s possible the plan is to play Fumagalli at fullback since they released one for him. I think the Jets have a similar plan with Trevon Wesco since the 49ers offense included an FB when the current Jets coaching staff was there.
Interesting, I actually think the pats drafted Dalton Keene last year (H-Back) and that Vitali is no longer needed. they also have Johnson (FB) & Janu Smith (H-Back) so it was already a crowded field. Signing Fumagalli is interesting as well.