Jerod Mayo Reveals Patriots Veteran Has Left the Team Entering Week 3

The New England Patriots started the 2024 NFL season with serious questions about their offensive line. Considered one of the weakest units on the roster, the offensive line has been a huge focal point for Jerod Mayo in his first stint as a head coach.

One of the off-season additions to help solve this issue was veteran Chukwuma Okorafor. The former Steelers starter took the starting left tackle job in Week 1 despite playing at right tackle for his entire career. He had admitted that the position switch would take some time for him to adjust to. As he suspected, he struggled immensely in Week 1, getting benched after 12 snaps.

After he was replaced by Vederian Lowe, the Patriots started playing much better and ended up pulling the improbable win against the Bengals. Lowe retained his starting role heading into Week 2. This landed Okorafor on the Exempt/Left squad list as he told the team he was reconsidering his desire to play football.

On Monday, we received another update. Pats insider Taylor Kyles reported that Jerod Mayo and Okorafor had a conversation and that the veteran offensive tackle is no longer with the team while he is doing some thinking.

Patriots News: Chuks Okorafor Currently Not With the Team

The Patriots are reportedly in talks with Okorafor's team. While he contemplates his NFL future, the team needs to solve their offensive line woes. They had already elevated Michael Jordan from the practice squad and he has been starting in Sidy Sow's absence.

Surely, Okorafor will make the decision that is best for him. Perhaps he will return to the team at some point in the season but it's clear that the Patriots need to address the depth concerns on the offensive line.

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