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New England Patriots News & Rumors

Patriots Activate LB Sione Takitaki

October 12th, 2024 at 3:58pm CST by Ely Allen

The Patriots will be getting some much-needed reinforcement to the team’s linebacking corps this weekend. According to Patriots staff writer Evan Lazar, New England has officially activated linebacker Sione Takitaki. In addition, the team has promoted long snapper Tucker Addington and running back Terrell Jennings as standard gameday practice squad elevations.

Takitaki was signed by New England early into free agency after a five-year stint in Cleveland. A former third-round pick for the Browns in 2019, Takitaki was always a strong contributor while struggling to carve out a consistent role as a full-time starter. When signing with the Patriots, the veteran linebacker was reunited with former Browns staffers Eliot Wolf and Alonzo Highsmith.

Takitaki was signed to bolster a linebacking corps that was short on returning talent. Unfortunately, the 29-year-old defender has yet to contribute after being placed on the reserve/physically unable to perform list before the start of the season. His contributions can’t come soon enough as starting Patriots linebackers Jahlani Tavai and Raekwon McMillan currently rank 73rd and 79th, respectively, out of 79 graded linebackers in the NFL, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required).

Addington is being called up a day after signing to the practice squad as regular long snapper Joe Cardona heads into this week’s game with a questionable injury designation due to a calf issue. Rhamondre Stevenson has been ruled out for this weekend, so Jennings will join Antonio Gibson and JaMycal Hasty as options out of the offensive backfield.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/11/24

October 11th, 2024 at 6:18pm CST by Ely Allen

Friday’s practice squad moves in the NFL:

Arizona Cardinals

New England Patriots

Washington Commanders

Both Moore and Hartman were released/waived from their respective 53-man rosters this week. Other teams would’ve had the opportunity to claim Hartman off of the waiver wire, but ultimately unclaimed, he returns to Washington on the practice squad.

Pats, S Brenden Schooler Agree To Extension

October 11th, 2024 at 3:02pm CST by Adam La Rose

A key member of the Patriots’ special teams unit is set to remain in place for years to come. Brenden Schooler agreed to an extension on Friday, per his agency.

As noted by NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, this will be a three-year, $9MM pact. $3.6MM is guaranteed, and incentives bring the maximum value of the contract to $10.5MM. Schooler is now on the books through the 2027 season.

This marks a considerable raise for Schooler compared to his previous AAV of $858K. The Oregon and Texas product was on track to hit restricted free agency this offseason. A tender decision has now been avoided with a long-term commitment, however.

Schooler joined the Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2022, and he managed to make 16 appearances as a rookie. He has remained a regular ever since, but the two snaps he logged last year represent his only playing time on defense. A heavy special teams workload (between 77% and 89% each campaign) has allowed Schooler to carve out an important role, though, and that will remain the case moving forward.

Of course, the Patriots had one of league’s top special teams aces in Matthew Slater throughout his decorated 16-year career. The 10-time Pro Bowler retired this offseason, creating a notable vacancy for New England’s third phase unit. Schooler, 27, has maintained a key role in that department in 2024, and the Pats currently rank third in the league in special teams DVOA.

Now, he will continue to be counted on as an anchor in that department with Slater having transitioned to an advisory role. The Patriots entered today with ample cap space, and their spending power ranks among the league’s highest in future seasons. Absorbing this pact will not be a problem as a result, and expectations will remain high on special teams with Schooler landing a new deal.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/10/24

October 10th, 2024 at 8:42pm CST by Adam La Rose

Thursday’s taxi squad moves:

Carolina Panthers

Cleveland Browns

Las Vegas Raiders

New England Patriots

Philadelphia Eagles

Uzomah is a veteran of 106 games stemming from his seven-year run in Cincinnati followed by two years with the Jets. The 31-year-old has topped 400 receiving yards in a season only twice, but he has remained a consistent depth option in the passing game. He will aim to provide a rotational contribution behind Dallas Goedert in Philadelphia.

Minor NFL Transactions: 10/10/24

October 10th, 2024 at 7:04pm CST by Adam La Rose

Thursday’s minor moves, including elevations for the opening game of Week 6:

Cleveland Browns

Green Bay Packers

Las Vegas Raiders

New England Patriots

  • Signed (off Raiders’ practice squad): C Ben Brown

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

Washington Commanders

Patriots OC Alex Van Pelt Addresses Decision To Start Drake Maye

October 10th, 2024 at 5:28pm CST by Adam La Rose

It was long expected the Patriots would turn to Drake Maye as their starting quarterback at some point this season. The rookie will get his first regular season start in Week 6 as the team looks to rebound from an anticipated but underwhelming showing on offense so far.

Jacoby Brissett served as New England’s starter through the first five weeks of the campaign, operating offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt‘s scheme while Maye developed in practice. The latter handled a larger-than-usual workload with the first-team offense during the week, and New England’s coaching staff was impressed with his progress over time. With the Patriots failing to repeat the success of Week 1’s upset win, this week’s move came as little surprise.

“Offensively, we’re not where we want to be from a production standpoint, especially in the pass game,” Van Pelt said (via Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald). “I think that that leads to some of that decision, and also the fact that to see [Maye’s] growth and development over those weeks of practice and what he’s put on on the practice field, I think the two of those combined.”

Van Pelt added he was “on board” with head coach Jerod Mayo‘s decision to bench Brissett. The 31-year-old took a one-year deal in free agency to return to New England (and reunite with Van Pelt), but it was widely known his time atop the depth chart would be temporary. Brissett has yet to throw for 170 yards in a game this year, and he has accounted for only two touchdowns. The team’s low-scoring loss to the Dolphins in Week 5 represented another poor showing on offense, but that contest alone was not responsible for the QB change.

As could be expected, Brissett expressed disappointment with the decision to install Maye (h/t the Boston Globe’s Christopher Price). If the move winds up being permanent, Brissett will head to free agency in 2025 without having helped his market value to a large extent. As the Patriots continue to deal with offensive line issues, however, Maye might end up struggling with sacks as Brissett did during his time as starter. A reversal of this week’s change would not threaten the No. 3 pick’s long-term standing in the organization, but it would allow Brissett to offer a veteran presence in a season which does not feature high expectations.

QB Rumors: Rodgers, Colts, Maye, Williams

October 10th, 2024 at 11:14am CST by Sam Robinson

Aaron Rodgers has now seen the offensive coordinator he has long backed, Nathaniel Hackett, stripped of play-calling duties. Interim Jets HC Jeff Ulbrich said Thursday the future Hall of Fame QB took his friend’s demotion in stride, calling Rodgers “supportive” of the choice, via ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini. Ulbrich said he talked to Rodgers and Jets offensive and defensive players before making that call. Hackett had begun to lose support in the locker room, and Robert Saleh was on the verge of either firing him or going through with the demotion Ulbrich ultimately carried out.

As for Rodgers’ role in Saleh’s firing, the quarterback vehemently denied complicity. Calling accusations he played a role in Saleh’s ouster “patently false,” Rodgers confirmed during his Pat McAfee Show appearance Woody Johnson‘s account the two talked Monday night. Seeing as the owner fired Saleh the next morning, it is a somewhat difficult sell that this topic never came up during the QB-owner conversation. However, Rodgers said (via Cimini) he and the longtime Jets owner discussed his ankle injury. Rodgers has been battling a low ankle sprain, playing through the malady. Also calling Saleh one of the reasons he delayed retirement to play for the Jets, Rodgers will now move forward with Todd Downing calling the shots and Hackett in an unspecified role.

Here is the latest from the QB ranks:

  • Giving Drake Maye first-team reps in training camp and during the season, the Patriots have now moved the No. 3 overall pick into the lineup. This comes after Jacoby Brissett has struggled in his season back in New England. The bridge quarterback ranks 28th in QBR but is playing with a bottom-end skill-position group and behind an O-line featuring key injuries. Still, the pivot to Maye — earlier than some anticipated — does not come as a knee-jerk reaction to Brissett’s performance against the Dolphins, the Boston Herald’s Doug Kyed notes. OC Alex Van Pelt had also said the team delaying Maye’s debut also had nothing to do with the current O-line composition. This Pats ramp-up period will be tested in Week 6, as Maye takes over against a 4-1 Texans team.
  • Anthony Richardson did not qualify as a game-time decision last week, per ESPN.com’s Stephen Holder, who indicates the second-year Colts QB was unable to move on the level he normally can. That led to Indianapolis downgrading its starter to doubtful the day before its Week 5 game. Optimism exists, based on “significant improvement” in his oblique rehab Richardson can go in Week 6. Richardson getting in a limited practice represents a good sign for his availability Sunday, though eyes will be on this situation after Joe Flacco proved more capable of moving the offense after early-season Richardson accuracy issues.
  • Concerns about Carl Williams’ involvement in his son Caleb‘s career have followed the former Heisman-winning passer, but the Bears received a positive report from now-Commanders OC Kliff Kingsbury as they prepared for the draft. In discussing Caleb with Ryan Poles and Matt Eberflus pre-draft, the recent USC QBs coach said he only saw Carl once at the Trojans’ practice facility, per SI.com’s Albert Breer, illustrating a more hands-off approach — at least, compared to public perception — from the prized prospect’s father. Carl Williams had made comments about his son having “two bites at the apple” regarding the NFL, inviting speculation the QB could return to school if he did not view the team with the No. 1 overall pick as a good fit. Caleb’s camp then tried to secure a no-franchise tag clause in his rookie deal — an unprecedented play the Bears shot down — and angled to be paid as an LLC for tax purposes. This invites some potential long-term issues for the Bears, but for now, the top pick’s development is their lone focus.

NFL Places Patriots S Jabrill Peppers On Commissioner’s Exempt List

October 9th, 2024 at 10:11am CST by Sam Robinson

The NFL will use its commissioner’s exempt list to sideline Jabrill Peppers. After an arrest near Boston over the weekend, the veteran Patriots safety is officially on paid leave, ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter tweets.

Not only is Peppers barred from Patriots games, he is ineligible to practice while on the list. This marks the second usage of the commissioner’s exempt list this season, following Browns rookie defensive lineman Michael Hall.

Peppers was hit with charges of assault and battery, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, strangulation and the possession of a class B substance. He is accused of choking a woman and shoving her head against a wall outside his Braintree, Mass., apartment, the Boston Globe’s John Ellement, Christopher Price and Camilio Fonseca report. Identifying herself as Peppers’ on-and-off girlfriend, the woman said the DB “took off her clothing and put her outside” his apartment.

Peppers pleaded not guilty to each of the charges and was released on bail, according to the Globe. The arrest occurred shortly after Peppers’ 29th birthday. The unnamed woman said she Peppers were “being intimate when her phone rang,” angering the veteran defender. The woman then accused Peppers of pushing her out of his bedroom. This led to Peppers allegedly pushing the woman down a flight of carpeted stairs in a hallway, according to the Globe.

Peppers denies he choked or pushed the woman, telling police she “appeared to be drunk” and acted erratically, blaming this for her fall down the stairs. Police did not smell alcohol on her breath, per the Globe. The woman declined to be hospitalized, but paramedics provided her an icepack. Police observed scratches on her knees and indicated redness on the right side of her forehead, according to the Globe, which adds a police search of Peppers’ apartment produced a bag Peppers allegedly confirmed was cocaine. Peppers soon informed Patriots HC Jerod Mayo of the development.

The Patriots took the atypical step, for a home team, of downgrading Peppers from questionable to out the day before their Week 5 Dolphins matchup. While Peppers is out of the picture for the time being, he is tied to a recently signed extension (three years, $24MM). The 2025 guarantees on that contract ($2.5MM of the safety’s $4.5MM base salary) are at risk. A personal conduct policy suspension can still come out of this arrest, despite Peppers being placed on the exempt list. Hall was hit with a five-game ban upon his reinstatement.

Patriots To Start Drake Maye In Week 6

October 8th, 2024 at 9:30pm CST by Adam La Rose

A midseason quarterback change has long been expected in New England, and it is now set to take place. The Patriots plan to start Drake Maye in Week 6, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports.

Veteran Jacoby Brissett got the nod at the start of the campaign, something which came as little surprise. The 31-year-old has experience working with offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt, and placing him atop the depth chart bought more time for Maye to develop. Brissett signed a one-year deal in free agency, though, positioning him as a bridge starter who would cede first-team duties at some point along the way. Maye saw mop-up duty the Pats’ blowout Week 3 loss, but this will mark his first full NFL action.

Once the Patriots moved on from Mac Jones, it was clear the draft route would be taken once again for a future franchise passer to be added. New England turned aside considerable trade interest in the No. 3 pick, using it to select Maye. The North Carolina product was seen as less pro-ready than a number of his draft classmates, but he has received 30% of the team’s starting reps during practice this season. That unusual setup further signaled a change would be coming soon, and the Patriots have lost four straight games. With momentum from their surprise Week 1 win not materializing, Brissett will be benched for at least the time being.

New England ranks 31st in the NFL with respect to both total and scoring offense. Improvement on the team’s 12.4 points per game average will be sought out, although questions linger (as they did before the year began) about issues along the offensive line and at the skill positions. Brissett has been sacked 17 times this season, and even Maye’s 16-snap appearance earlier in the year resulted in a pair of sacks. Injuries have been present up front, with starting center David Andrews out for the year and left tackle Caedan Wallace being placed on injured reserve. O-line struggles were a factor in Brissett remaining in place, but in spite of that it will now be Maye running the offense.

The 22-year-old had a down year in 2023 relative to his output during the previous campaign. His potential enticed the Patriots to add him in the team’s latest effort to land a true Tom Brady successor, however. Due to the fifth-year option, Maye could remain in place through 2028 depending on how he fares in a starting role. That process will begin in Week 6 against the Texans, a game in which expectations will be tempered. On a broader scale, how Maye performs over the coming months will represent the main storyline for himself personally and the team as a whole.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/8/24

October 8th, 2024 at 9:21pm CST by Adam La Rose

Tuesday’s taxi squad moves:

Atlanta Falcons

  • Signed: OL Matthew Cindric

Baltimore Ravens

Cincinnati Bengals

Cleveland Browns

Dallas Cowboys

Denver Broncos

Indianapolis Colts

New England Patriots

New York Jets

Seattle Seahawks

Washington Commanders

Fleming saw time with Denver across each of the past three seasons. The 32-year-old alternated between right and left tackle during that span, and he remained on the team’s radar given his workout in September. Now Fleming, a veteran of 117 games and 62 starts, will be an option to handle a depth role along the O-line once he is elevated to the Broncos’ active roster.

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