Patriots Take Flyer on Rookie Defender Who Was Just Released

The New England Patriots are still in the process of finalizing their 90-man roster as mandatory minicamp is underway this week. Last week, the Pats signed a couple of wide receivers as they try to upgrade that position.

This week, the Patriots are adding to the defensive side of the ball, which was a solid unit last season. However, it doesn’t hurt to have depth across all three levels. Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported on Tuesday that New England claimed linebacker Steele Chambers off of waivers. Before landing with the Pats, he was signed by the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent.

To make room for Chambers on the roster, the Patriots waived undrafted free-agent linebacker Jay Person, per Doug Kyed. Person was signed last week by New England after spending his collegiate career at Appalachian State and Chattanooga.

The 6-foot-1 linebacker went undrafted out of Ohio State, starting his career as a running back, and eventually moved to the defensive side of the ball. Chambers made 29 career starts after switching to linebacker in 2021.

Chambers produced 83 combined tackles and 1.5 sacks this past season. The former running back saw an increase in his combined tackles from 2022 (77), but a decrease in his sacks (6.5). 

The former Buckeyes linebacker will look to provide some depth at linebacker for the Pats while trying to make plays in minicamp and training camp/preseason to land a spot on the practice squad.

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