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Patriots Expected to Bench Week 1 Starter in Second Game

The Patriots will likely bench Chukwuma Okorafor for Week 2 after replacing him with Vederian Lowe.

By Jovan Alford

Aug 15, 2024; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo calls out from the sideline during the first half against the Philadelphia Eagles at Gillette Stadium.
Aug 15, 2024; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo calls out from the sideline during the first half against the Philadelphia Eagles at Gillette Stadium. / Eric Canha-Imagn Images
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Heading into Week 1 of the 2024 NFL regular season, New England Patriots fans wondered how the offensive line would perform against the Cincinnati Bengals after an inconsistent training camp and preseason.

Much to their surprise, the Patriots' offensive line held up in Week 1 as they helped veteran running back Rhamondre Stevenson run for 120 yards and a touchdown; and allowed starting quarterback Jacoby Brissett to get sacked once.

It was the best scenario for first-year head coach Jerod Mayo to start the season. However, despite the Pats’ o-line success, we should expect a change to happen before New England plays the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.

According to ESPN’s Mike Reiss, veteran offensive tackle Chuka Okorafor is “heading in the wrong direction” as he was benched after 12 plays for Vederian Lowe. Reiss adds that he expects Lowe to start this week at left tackle.

If you are Okorafor this is a jarring development after he signed with the Pats in the offseason to a one-year, $4 million deal. 

Okorafor was looking to change the narrative about himself this season after losing his starting job with the Pittsburgh Steelers last season. However, he struggled to do that in Week 1 against the Bengals. 

According to Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald, Okorafor allowed three pressures to Cincinnati defensive end Trey Hendrickson on five snaps, per Next Gen Stats. On the other hand, Lowe had better success against Hendrickson, allowing four pressures on 16 snaps.

The Patriots will hope that the former sixth-round pick can build off his performance in Week 1 and carry it into the home opener.

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