Eli Raridon’s first NFL catch was the first touchdown of the season

The Patriots rookie turned his regular-season debut into a piece of league history with one wide-open catch in Seattle.

Eli Raridon’s first NFL reception was also the first touchdown of the 2026 season. Drake Maye found the former Notre Dame tight end wide open for a two-yard score in New England’s opener against Seattle.

Raridon finished his regular-season debut with one catch for two yards and a touchdown. The play gave the Patriots a 7–0 lead, although Seattle came back to win 13–10.

That is a debut worth keeping: one catch, six points and the opening touchdown of the league’s new season. The NFL’s clip is embedded below.

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X · NFL

Rookie Eli Raridon scores the first TD of the season!

Official nine-second league video of Raridon’s two-yard touchdown on September 9, 2026. The post identifies it as the first touchdown of the season.

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web · NFL.com

Eli Raridon career stats

Official stats list one game, one reception, two receiving yards and one touchdown for Raridon in 2026.

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