The New England Patriots are releasing veteran offensive tackle Chukwuma Okorafor. ESPN’s Field Yates reported the news on Monday.
Okorafor was signed by the Patriots last March to a one-year deal. He was expected to serve as the veteran left tackle for a team that failed to make a big signing at the position in free agency. However, he struggled in the team’s opener against the Cincinnati Bengals and was benched in the middle of the game.
Things continued to spiral with him being placed on the exempt/left squad list before the second game of the season. He did not return to the team in the five-day window to do so.
The Patriots will be releasing veteran OT Chuks Okorafor today, who was scheduled to be a free agent in March.
This gives Okorafor a month head start to sign with a new team, which the 27-year would like to do.
He was placed on the exempt/left squad in Week 2 of this season,…
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) February 10, 2025
The Patriots are in line for a busy offseason. They have a brand new coaching staff led by Mike Vrabel, the most cap space in the NFL and the No. 4 overall pick of the 2025 NFL draft.
Okorafor is the first of many moves to come for the roster as currently constructed.