The New England Patriots are trying to find their way out of the wilderness more than four years after quarterback Tom Brady left to join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
There may be the beginnings of a glimmer of hope as Drake Maye, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, is starting to look like a potential future franchise quarterback, and they could have a couple of emerging stars on defense.
However, one of the many areas where the Patriots need help is on the offensive line, which may be the worst in the NFL.
Heading into their Week 13 game against the Indianapolis Colts, the Patriots have cut a regular starter from that unit.
“The Patriots have released starting LG Michael Jordan, who has played 87.7 [percent] of the snaps this season,” Mike Reiss of ESPN wrote on X.
The Patriots have released starting LG Michael Jordan, who has played 87.7% of the snaps this season.
In his place, they have claimed guard Lester Cotton (6-4, 325) on waivers from the Dolphins.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) November 26, 2024
The Patriots are filling that roster spot with guard Lester Cotton, who was claimed from the division-rival Miami Dolphins.
Jordan hasn’t lived up to the name he shares with the NBA superstar, posting a meager 51.5 grade from Pro Football Focus.
He previously played four seasons in the NFL with the Cincinnati Bengals and Carolina Panthers, although he didn’t play last season as a member of the Green Bay Packers.
Cotton is in his fifth season out of the University of Alabama and spent the past two-plus seasons with Miami, starting eight of his 28 regular season games.
New England’s offensive line caused many to not support the decision to start Maye, but so far, things have gone fairly well for him, and perhaps the franchise finally has some direction for the first time in the post-Brady era.
