Four Former Patriots on the NFL Transaction Wire This Past Week

didThe New England Patriots made four roster additions over the past week. They added defensive tackles Josiah Bronson and Mike Purcell. These additions were made to shore up the position while Christian Barmore is out indefinitely following his blood clot diagnosis. New England added offensive tackle Kellen Diesch and safety A.J. Thomas as well.

The Patriots cleared roster spots by parting ways with undrafted free agents Jontrey Hunter, Kaleb-Ford Dement, and Deshaun Fenwick. New England waived Tyrone Wheatley Jr. as well, though they brought him back on IR after he cleared waivers.

But these New England Patriots, past and present, were not the only ones to show up on the NFL’s transaction wire over the past week. Four players previously under contract with the Patriots found new homes. In addition, Demetric Felton, who recently had a tryout with New England, signed with the Chicago Bears.

Also Read – Alex Austin Feeling Comfortable in Second Season With Pats

A look at where the four players formerly under contract with the Patriots landed over the past week:

Breon Borders, CB

New England signed Borders to their practice squad on Sept. 21, 2023. He did get elevated to the active roster for the Patriots but never appeared in any games. The 29-year-old cornerback entered the NFL in 2017 and has been well-traveled. He has appeared in games for the Bills, Jaguars, Commanders, Titans, Cardinals, and Bears. He has been an offseason or practice squad player for the Raiders, Texans, and Falcons, in addition to the Patriots. New England did not bring him back for 2024.

Breon Borders signed with the New York Giants last Sunday, making them the eleventh NFL franchise he’s been under contract with.

Nathan Rourke, QB

Rourke was part of the quarterback carousel in New England last season. He did not play for the Patriots but was activated over Mac Jones for the final game of the 2023 season. The former CFL and Jaguars QB originally re-signed as a restricted free agent with the New England Patriots this offseason. However, the Patriots released Rourke after using selecting quarterbacks Drake Maye and Joe Milton III in the NFL Draft. He signed with the Giants following his release.

Nathan Rourke experienced an eventful week. The Giants released him to make room for Borders. However, the quarterback was not unemployed long. He signed with the Atlanta Falcons three days later. Rourke joins a quarterback room featuring starter Kirk Cousins and first-round draft pick Michael Penix Jr.

Matt Sokol, TE

Of the four former Patriots to hit the transaction wire last week, only Sokol appeared in an NFL game for New England. He spent the 2019 through 2022 offseason signing with the Los Angeles Chargers, Detroit Lions, and Jacksonville Jaguars multiple times each. He played two games for the Chargers in 2020. The Patriots signed Sokol on Aug. 31, 2022. He spent the next three seasons on their practice squad, with occasional elevations to the active rosters. He played three games in both 2022 and 2023 for New England. However, he was not brought back for 2024.

Matt Sokol signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Jay Person, EDGE

The Patriots invited Person to their rookie minicamp where he impressed enough to sign as an undrafted free agent. Person had an impressive college career at Chattanooga, earning Southern Conference Defensive Player of the Year twice. The New England Patriots had released Person before training camp started to make room for UDFA linebacker Steele Chambers, who had been released by the Lions. Jay Person now looks to begin his NFL career with the Buccaneers after signing with Tampa Bay on Friday.