Starting Left Guard Michael Jordan Released by the Patriots

The New England Patriots offensive line has struggled in 2024. On Tuesday, the team released offensive guard Michael Jordan. New England making a roster move to improve things in the trenches was expected. However, Jordan being the odd man out in Foxboro did come as a mild surprise.

Jordan started 11 of the 12 Patriots games at left guard this season. He is second on the team in offensive snaps, behind only Mike Onwenu. Jordan is New England’s only offensive lineman to start more than eight games at the same position this season.

Pro Football Focus gave Jordan a 51.5 grade for 2024. However, he has scored higher than that for five consecutive weeks, including a 60.4 on Sunday against Miami. PFF gave Jordan a 60.4 pass-blocking grade for the season, though only 45.0 for run-blocking.

Also Read – Kelley: Explaining How the Patriots Offensive Line Got to This Point

Among the 61 offensive guards to play at least 400 snaps this season, Pro Football Focus ranked Michael Jordan No. 44 in pass-blocking, No. 61 in run-blocking, and No. 59 overall.

Eliot Wolf’s First Signing

Michael Jordan became the New England Patriots first signing after Bill Belichick’s dismissal. He signed with New England on Jan. 24, 2024. His previous NFL stops were with the Cincinnati Bengals (2019-2020), Carolina Panthers (2021-2022), and on the Green Bay Packers practice squad for the 2023 season.

Jordan impressed in training camp and earned a spot in New England’s initial 53-man roster. However, the team released him the following day to make room for their four waiver claims and re-signed Sow to the practice squad. With Sidy Sow having injured his ankle in the preseason, Jordan was elevated from the practice squad to start in the season opener. He was signed to the 53-man roster on Sept. 9.

Michael Jordan joining the New England Patriots practice squad if he clears waivers remains a possibility. If the team is looking for a change at left guard, several in-house candidates exist. Sidy Slow, Layden Robinson, and Tyrese Robinson were already on the 53-man roster. Cole Strange has spent the 2024 season on the PUP list, but his 21-day window to be activated began last week. New England also claimed offensive guard Lester Cotton off waivers from the Miami Dolphins on Tuesday.