New England Brings Back Cornerback Alex Austin

The New England Patriots have come to terms with a second exclusive rights free agent. Following the signing of ERFA Nathan Rourke last week, the Patriots are bringing back cornerback Alex Austin.

Austin broke the news himself from his X account.

It’s official… I’m back for another one!! Can’t wait to turn up with y’all this season… Let’s run it! #ForeverNE
– @kinnggalex

It’s official.. I’m back for another one!! Can’t wait to turn up with y’all this season… Let’s run it! #ForeverNE 💙❤️

— Alex Austin (@kinnggalex) March 7, 2024

Alex Austin appeared in five games for the New England Patriots in 2023. He recorded nine tackles, two passes defended, and an interception.

The Patriots signed Austin on Nov. 2, 2023. He was a seventh round pick (No. 252 overall) of the Buffalo Bills in the 2023 NFL Draft. He was part of Buffalo’s final cuts, likely with the plan to bring him back to their practice squad. The Houston Texans claimed Austin and signed him to their active roster however.

Austin appeared in three games for Houston last season before being released on Oct. 14.  The Texans signed him to their practice squad, but he was released from the practice squad on Nov. 1. The next day he was practicing with the Patriots.

The 6-foot-1, 191 pound defensive back went to Oregon State.  He started his final two years for the Beavers. That made Alex Austin a cross-state rival of Patriots teammate Christian Gonzalez, the former Oregon Duck.

Alex Austin is one of seven cornerbacks under contract with the New England Patriots for 2024. He is joined by Christian Gonzalez,  Jonathan Jones, Marcus Jones, Shaun Wade, Isaiah Bolden, and Azizi Hearn.