Patriots Daily: Seven Former Patriots Among Monday’s NFL Cuts

The New England Patriots reduced their roster by 14 players yesterday. Like all NFL teams, New England must get their roster down to 53 players by 4 p.m. EST today. Twenty-three moves remain for the Patriots to get from 76 down to 53 by the deadline. But in addition to those released in New England, six players around the NFL with ties to the Patriots parted ways with their teams. This included a Super Bowl champion and three quarterbacks from the team’s 2023 QB carousel.

Phillip Dorsett got traded to New England from Indianapolis before the 2017 season. The Patriots sent Jacoby Brissett to the Colts in return. Dorsett won Super Bowl 53 with the Patriots. Dorsett amassed 73 receptions for 881 yards and eight touchdowns in his three seasons with New England. He has since played for the Jaguars, Seahawks, Texans, and Broncos. Denver released the veteran on Monday.

Pittsburgh released two former New England practice squad players. Kicker Matthew Wright signed with the Patriots practice squad on Nov. 30, 2023. Eight days later, he was released. He previously kicked for the Steelers, Jaguars, Chiefs, and Panthers in NFL action. Pittsburgh also released wide receiver T.J. Luther. He had multiple stints on the New England’s practice squad and offseason roster.

Ke’Shawn Vaughn finished the 2023 season on New England’s practice squad after spending four seasons with Tampa Bay. He was released by the Patriots on May 13. Vaughn signed with the 49ers, but he was released yesterday.

Finally, three of the New England Patriots quarterbacks from 2023 were released yesterday. Will Grier (Eagles), Ian Book (Chiefs), and Matt Corral (Vikings) are all looking for work this morning. A few others from the Patriots quarterback room last season could be joining them today. Stay tuned.

Also in Tuesday’s Patriots Daily:

Patriots Fact of the Day

The New England Patriots have only had two seasons where only player attempted a pass all season for them:

1977 – Steve Grogan
2013 – Tom Brady

The most players to attempt a pass for the Patriots in one season was seven. They did it during the strike year of 1987. Throwing at least one pass each were Steve Grogan, Tom Ramsey, Tony Eason, Bob Bleier, Doug Flutie, and non-quarterbacks Cedric Jones and Mosi Tatupu.

Post of the Day

Tom Brady to Phillip Dorsett for a New England Patriots touchdown in the 2018 AFC Championship Game against the Kansas City Chiefs courtesy of Patriots Dynasty:

A Random Dynasty Highlight:

Brady to Dorsett 29yd TD vs Chiefs in 2018 AFC Conference Championshiphttps://t.co/wOxm8K1Gwk#Patriots #Dynasty pic.twitter.com/1vR2qTgqtx

— Patriots Dynasty (@PatsDynastyInfo) October 31, 2022

Kelley: Final New England Patriots 53-Man Roster Projection – The 14 players released yesterday did not include anyone from this list. Is it possible to go 53-for-53 in roster projections? Unlikely, but it’s still possible. Who will be this year’s surprise, either getting cut or making the team?

Updated: Monday’s New England Patriots Transactions Toward 53– The first 14 roster cuts were made on Monday in New England. Those departing include players who have been with the team for multiple years as well as undrafted rookie free agents. Some could return to the practice squad after clearing waivers.

NFL Coverage

Ex-Patriot JuJu Smith-Schuster Returns to Super Bowl Champs (Patriots Football Now) – The wide receiver made the Pro Bowl in Pittsburgh. He won a Super Bowl with Kansas City. He struggled in his lone season with New England. Now Smith-Schuster returns to the Chiefs for another shot at success.

Sources: Cowboys Lamb Agrees to $136M Deal (ESPN) – The Dallas Cowboys were facing potential contract headaches with three of their star players. QB Dak Prescott, WR CeeDee Lamb, and LB Micah Parsons were all looking for new deals this offseason. Lamb now has his, to the tune of $136 million over four years.

Trade! Titans Sending QB Willis to Green Bay for Draft Pick (NFL.com) – Jordan Love has a new backup quarterback on the Green Bay Packers. The Tennessee Titans are parting ways with 2022 third-round pick Malik Willis. The Titans get a 2025 seventh-round pick in return.

Boston Bruins

Boston Hockey Now – Matthew Poitras, Rick Middleton, and Charlie Coyle were among those at Bruins Fans Fest. Megan Keller adds PWHL pop to the event. Andrew Raycroft chimes in on the Bruins goalie situation. Read about that and more on BHN.

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