The New England Patriots have made their first big external free-agent off-season signing.
According to Ian Rapoport, the Patriots have signed former Steelers OT Chukwuma Okorafor.
Okorafor, 26, was waived by the Steelers last month after spending six years in Pittsburgh. Despite inking a three-year $29.25M contract extension in 2022 with the Steelers, his time in Pittsburgh was cut short. The pass-protector was benched last season after repeatedly complaining about the Steelers’ offensive coaches and their play calls. Former first-round pick Broderick Jones replaced Okoafor for the second half of the season.
Okorafor entered the NFL as a third-round pick in the 2018 draft. He made three starts as a rookie before becoming a full-time starter in 2020. The 6-foot-6, 320-pounder has made 77 appearances and played 3,938 snaps during his time in Pittsburgh.
The Western Michigan product has the most experience playing right tackle but has also spent some time protecting the quarterback’s blindside. The signing could be viewed as more of a depth-piece, and Okorafor should be utilized more as a swing tackle. It’s important to note that the Patriots only have Conor McDermott, Vederian Lowe, Andrew Stueber, and Calvin Anderson under contract at the tackle spot for next season.
Last year, the Patriots tried re-working their offensive line by signing veteran tacklers Calvin Anderson and Riley Reiff. However, that didn’t work out in their favor, with injuries getting in the way of playing time for Reiff and Anderson. With Mike Onwenu, expected to hit free agency next week, the signing of Okorafor also feels like some quality insurance. It’s also important to note that according to The Boston Herald’s Doug Kyed, the Patriots view Okorafor as phonetical starter.
The official league tampering period will open at noon on Monday, March 12th.
My name is Ben Belford-Peltzman and I am the creator and writer of The Patriots Beat. I am a 17-year kid who is an optimistic pessimist about the City of Champions. I started The Patriots Beat in August of 2022 and never expected to grow so much but here we are. Feel free to email Thepatriotsbeat@gmail.com with any inquires.
