The New England Patriots released a recently signed rookie linebacker.
On Tuesday, the Patriots cut Jay Person after claiming another rookie linebacker, Steele Chambers, off waivers from the Detroit Lions.
New England added Person to its 90-man roster last month after he participated in the team’s rookie minicamp. He joined former first-round pick Cole Strange as the second Chattanooga alum on the roster.
A first-team All-American in 2022, Person was named Southern Conference Defensive Player of the Year with eight sacks and 17.5 tackles for a loss in 10 games. The 6-foot-2, 233-pound edge rusher produced 9.5 sacks and three forced fumbles or an encore in 2023.
“Excited for Jay. He earned his chance,” Chattanooga head coach Rusty Wright said last month. “It’s not easy to go in for a weekend like that and have to perform for that contract. He confirmed to the Patriots what he showed on film and in our room over the last five years. We’re excited to see what the future holds for him.”
However, Person’s time with the Patriots didn’t last long, as they cleared him off the roster to make room for Chambers.
A former running back, Chambers spent the last three seasons as a starting linebacker at Ohio State. He compiled 83 tackles, two pass breakups, and an interception for a Buckeyes defense that allowed 11.2 points per game in 2023.
The Lions waived Chambers on Monday to sign veteran linebacker Ben Niemann, who played seven games with the Denver Broncos last season.