Suburban grads LaCosse, Vitale opt out of NFL season

If the NFL season comes to fruition, it'll have a little less local feel to it.

The New England Patriots' roster took a hit in the last week as players decided to opt out of the season due to continuing concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic. Included on the list is Naperville North graduate Matt LaCosse and Wheaton Warrenville South graduate Dan Vitale.

Reached Monday, LaCosse said his wife is expecting their first child in November and that played a large factor in opting out. Similarly, Vitale announced last week to USA Today through agent Leigh Steinberg that he's opting out because he and his wife, Caley, have a newborn baby.

LaCosse, a tight end out of the University of Illinois who signed as an undrafted free agent with the New York Giants in 2015, signed a two-year contract with the Patriots in 2019 and last season caught 13 passes. Vitale, a sixth-round pick by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2016, signed a one-year contract in March to play fullback for the Patriots.

LaCosse and Vitale join a growing list of NFL players choosing to opt out this season. Defensive lineman Eddie Goldman and defensive back Jordan Lucas have opted out for the Chicago Bears.