The Patriots have signed linebacker Shilique Calhoun, as Mike Reiss of ESPN.com tweets. In a corresponding move, the club has cut offensive tackle Ryker Mathews.
Calhoun was selected by the Raiders in the third round of the 2016 draft, but he never started a game for Oakland. In fact, he was waived during final cutdowns in September 2017, went unclaimed, and was subsequently re-signed to the Raiders’ practice squad. He ended up playing in nine games in 2017 and seven games last year, but he has been more of a special teams contributor than anything else. He was non-tendered by Oakland last month.
As Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk observes, Calhoun is the first player with NFL experience added to New England’s linebacking corps this offseason. He will likely compete for a rotational role on defense and for a spot on the Pats’ special teams unit.
For his career, Calhoun has 23 tackles and a half-sack.
Belichick must have valued him back in the 2016 draft and still thinks that he can be coached up or maybe he’s just another special teams asset?
flowers will be missed