Chukwuma Okorafor Leaves Patriots, Considering Calling It Quits

The New England Patriots announced that offensive guard Michael Jordan was being elevated from the practice squad for Sunday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks. The news comes as no surprise. Jordan is expected to start at left guard for New England, with Sidy Sow ruled out once again. In that same announcement, the Patriots did offer more of a surprise, stating offensive tackle Chukwuma Okorafor has been placed on the reserved/left squad list.

Okorafor signed with New England on March 7, 2024, after being released by the Pittsburgh Steelers in a cost-cutting move. Okorafor lost his starting right tackle job last season to rookie first-round pick Broderick Jones. The move saved Pittsburgh $8.75 million in cap space. Mike Onwenu and Trent Brown, the Patriots starting offensive tackles in 2023, were set to become unrestricted free agents later that month. New England signed Onwenu to a three-year deal in free agency. The expectation was that Onwenu would play right tackle, with Okorafor the favorite to start on the left side.

Offensive Line Changes

Okorafor struggled to adapt to the left side. Onwenu began training camp at right guard, and Okorafor was quickly moved back to the right side. But after Vederian Lowe, the left tackle on the first unit, was injured in practice leading up to the preseason finale, the Patriots shuffled their offensive line again. Onwenu slid to right tackle, and Okorafor moved to left once again.

Vederian Lowe was available for Week 1, though still not 100% after being limited in practice. Chukwuma Okorafor got the start at left tackle. However, after only 12 offensive snaps, head coach Jerod Mayo pulled Okorafor in favor of Lowe, who remained their the rest of the game. Lowe practiced with the first unit throughout this past week.

MassLive’s Karen Guregian reported, according to her sources, that the Patriots placed Okorafor on the reserved/left squad list because the offensive tackle is now contemplating whether he wants to continue playing football at all. The 27-year-old is on a one-year deal for $4 million.

Per source, Chuks Okorafor was placed on the Exempt/Left squad list because he's reconsidering if he still wants to play football. The team has been in touch with his representatives. Okorafor had signed a one-year deal with a base value of $4 million with the Patriots.

— Karen Guregian (@kguregian) September 14, 2024

The reserved/left team designation is not seen often. However, the New England Patriots used it last season when quarterback Matt Corral went AWOL. It does not mean the Patriots released Chuks Okorafor or have officially parted ways with him. No other team can sign him. However, as of today, his future with the team and in the league appears to be very much in doubt.