Report: Patriots Releasing Offensive Lineman Nick Leverett

The New England Patriots lost several offensive linemen to injuries this season. One offensive tackle, Chukwuma Okorafor, opted to leave the team after Week 1. Now there is another player from the original 53-man roster who will no longer be playing in the trenches for the Patriots. According to reports, New England is releasing Nick Leverett.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter was the first to report the move.

Patriots are releasing veteran offensive lineman Nick Leverett.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 14, 2024

The Patriots signed Leverett during free agency on March 13, 2024. He spent his first four NFL seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Leverett won a Super Bowl ring as a rookie in 2020, though he spent the entire season on the Buccaneers practice squad. He made his NFL debut in 2021, appearing in two games.

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Nick Leverett started ten games in 2021 at left guard. He helped protect Tom Brady in the legendary quarterback’s final NFL season. Pro Football Focus gave Leverett a solid 71.0 pass-blocking grade for the season. However, Leverett was replaced in the starting lineup in 2023, with guards Cody Mauch and Luke Goedeke each playing every offensive snap all season. This relegated Leverett to a handful of special teams snaps.

Conversion to Center in New England

Many believed Leverett would compete for a starting job at guard for New England. However, the team attempted to transition him into becoming a backup center for David Andrews. He made the original 53-man roster despite snapping struggles during the preseason. When Andrews injured his shoulder in Week 4, Leverett replaced him in the lineup. He started the following week against the Miami Dolphins. Unfortunately, Leverett struggled in pass protection, allowing ten quarterback pressures. Ben Brown replaced him in the starting lineup for Week 6.

Nick Leverett’s departure leaves the New England Patriots with only Ben Brown as a center on the 53-man roster. The team employs Sincere Haynesworth and Bryan Hudson on the practice squad. One of the centers could be promoted to take Leverett’s spot on the roster.