The Patriots parted ways with the veteran pass rusher on Tuesday.
Before flipping the page to 2025, the New England Patriots decided to make one last transaction in 2024. Veteran outside linebacker Yannick Ngakoue, who had joined the Patriots as a waiver claim in early November, was released.
The timing of the move was not coincidental, according to head coach Jerod Mayo.
“Just trying to give a veteran player an opportunity to catch on with a team that will be in the postseason,” Mayo explained during a press conference on Wednesday.
According to an NFL memo from January 2024, teams participating in the postseason are allowed to sign no more than four free agents while in the tournament and no more than two in the same week. Ngakoue getting waived on Tuesday gives him a head start of sorts, even though he was not claimed on the waiver wire by Wednesday afternoon.
A third-round draft pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2016, Ngakoue developed into a productive pass rusher and one-time Pro Bowl selection. After leaving Jacksonville via trade in 2020, he continued putting up solid numbers. His last two seasons, however, have been a struggle — culminating in his release by the 3-13 Patriots on Tuesday.
In six games as a Patriot, Ngakoue played 39 percent of defensive snaps but registered no sacks and just three combined quarterback pressures. Nonetheless, Mayo spoke highly of the 29-year-old and what he brought to his team during his short tenure.
“I’ll just say this about Yannick, he did a great job,” Mayo said. “He was great in the meeting rooms. He was great out there in the practice field. A veteran that brought a lot to the table, and wish him nothing but the best.”
The Ngakoue-less Patriots will take on the Buffalo Bills in their season finale on Sunday. Kickoff at Gillette Stadium has been set for 1 p.m. ET.