Patriots tight end Eli Raridon catches touchdown in season opener against Seahawks
5 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 10, 2026, 1:56 AM
Last updated Sep 10, 2026
New England Patriots rookie tight end Eli Raridon scored the first touchdown of the 2026 NFL season during Wednesday night's game against the Seattle Seahawks. Raridon caught a two-yard pass from quarterback Drake Maye with 9:11 remaining in the second quarter. The scoring play capped a 10-play, 77-yard drive that gave the Patriots an early lead. The opportunity was set up by a 34-yard defensive pass interference penalty against Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe. Seattle experienced a setback earlier in the game when starting quarterback Sam Darnold suffered a hip injury on the fifth play of the drive. Drew Lock replaced Darnold at quarterback for the Seahawks. The matchup is currently in progress.
- •Eli Raridon caught a two-yard touchdown pass from Drake Maye in the second quarter.
- •The touchdown was the first reception of the rookie tight end's NFL career.
- •Seattle quarterback Sam Darnold left the game with a hip injury.
- •Drew Lock entered the game to replace the injured Sam Darnold at quarterback.
- •The score put the Patriots in the lead during the first half of the game.
- 1:56 AMYahoo Sports — Who is Patriots’ Eli Raridon? Unlikely TE scores first TD of 2026 NFL season
- 1:55 AMYahoo Sports — WATCH: Patriots rookie TE Eli Raridon scores first TD of NFL season
- 1:42 AMYahoo Sports — Watch: Patriots rookie scores first NFL touchdown against Seahawks
- 1:19 AMYahoo Sports — Patriots rookie tight end Eli Raridon scores first TD of NFL season
- 1:12 AMYahoo Sports — Who is Eli Raridon? Patriots rookie catches first NFL touchdown from Drake Maye
"Eli Raridon isn't a household name yet, but the Patriots rookie made NFL history Wednesday night by scoring the first touchdown of the 2026 NFL season.
"New England Patriots rookie tight end Eli Raridon scored the first touchdown of the NFL season to get the Patriots on the board first.
"A third-round pick out of Notre Dame, New England TE Eli Raridon caught a pass for the first touchdown of the NFL season.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsSep 10, 2026, 1:56 AMWho is Patriots’ Eli Raridon? Unlikely TE scores first TD of 2026 NFL season
Eli Raridon isn't a household name yet, but the Patriots rookie made NFL history Wednesday night by scoring the first touchdown of the 2026 NFL season.
- Yahoo SportsSep 10, 2026, 1:55 AMWATCH: Patriots rookie TE Eli Raridon scores first TD of NFL season
New England Patriots rookie tight end Eli Raridon scored the first touchdown of the NFL season to get the Patriots on the board first.
- Yahoo SportsSep 10, 2026, 1:42 AMWatch: Patriots rookie scores first NFL touchdown against Seahawks
Patriots rookie tight end Eli Raridon scored his first touchdown in Wednesday's opener against the Seahawks.
- Yahoo SportsSep 10, 2026, 1:19 AMPatriots rookie tight end Eli Raridon scores first TD of NFL season
A third-round pick out of Notre Dame, New England TE Eli Raridon caught a pass for the first touchdown of the NFL season.
- Yahoo SportsSep 10, 2026, 1:12 AMWho is Eli Raridon? Patriots rookie catches first NFL touchdown from Drake Maye
Unexpected first touchdown of the season.
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