Patriots Ex Out at ESPN

JUNE 23 ROB OUT NFL analyst Rob Ninkovich will not be staying with ESPN as his contract will not be renewed, according to Front Office Sports. Ninkovich, a former New England Patriots standout who was a Super Bowl champ under coach Bill Belichick, has been with the Bristol-baed network since 2019. But ESPN is dumping contracts and talent as part of a series of financial cutback moves.

JUNE 2 NFL PROCESSES RETIREMENT OF FORMER PATRIOTS TEAM CAPTAIN DEVIN McCOURTY 

The retirement of longtime New England Patriots team captain Devin McCourty is now official.

The NFL processed McCourty's retirement transaction on Friday. The move, which had been expected to take place after June 1, will now allow the Pats to split the dead salary-cap charges over 2023 and 2024. Per Patriots salary cap expert Miguel Benzan, New England will incur $3.5 million in dead money for 2023, while taking a hit of $6.2 million in 2024. 

Benzan further estimated that the move creates $225,000 in cap space for the Patriots, as safety Joshuah Bledsoe and his $940,000 salary will replace McCourty’s $1.17 million salary on the Top 51 list. According to Benzan, the Patriots now have approximately $13.3 million in available cap space. 

During his 13 years in New England, McCourty was one of the Pats most prolific on-field defenders, as well as one of its most respected leaders in the locker room.

He appeared in a combined 229 regular season and playoff games as a member of the Patriots. In addition to his championship rings, he earned three second-team All Pro selections, as well as being voted to two Pro Bowls and the Patriots’ Team of the 2010s. 

In light of both McCourty's retirement and the release of rookie DL Justus Tavai, New England currently has two open spots on its 90-man roster. 

PATRIOTS RELEASE UNDRAFTED ROOKIE DL JUSTUS TAVAI

FOXBORO — The New England Patriots also announced on Friday that they have released DL Justus Tavai. 

Tavai was signed by New England as a rookie free agent out of San Diego State on May 19. Despite his short stay in New England, Tavai's name is a familiar one for Pats fans, being the younger brother of linebacker Jahlani, who is about to enter his third season with New England. 

Tavai, 24, finished his college career in 2022 at San Diego State after four seasons at Hawaii (2018-21) and one at El Camino College (2017). The 6-3, 290-pounder played in 12 games and finished with 38 tackles, 3.5 sacks and was named the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year last season at San Diego State. Tavai played in 25 games with 19 starts during his time in Hawaii and finished with 72 total tackles with four sacks.

MAY 26 AB COMEBACK?

Antonio Brown has not given up on the idea of returning to the NFL ... and his agent is claiming that the NFL feels the same way.

"'He is exploring the right fit,' his agent said Thursday, describing recent NFL inquiries as 'genuine,'" CBS Sports' Cody Benjamin wrote.

It is JR Rickert, Brown's agent, who insists that his troubled 34-year-old client is actually receiving some legitimate interest from NFL teams.

We don't need to chronicle here Brown's unfortunate behavioral history. No ill will is wished his way as he plans to play in his first organized football game in more than a year when he suits up for the Albany Empire of the National Arena League on Saturday. (AB may or not be the owner of the team, along with his dad. Brown tells multiple different tales there as the franchise is embroiled in controversy over players and coaches not being paid.)

We will instead stick with the football take, and the agent's: "I think that he is a multi-talented individual who does everything at a high level. And whatever he commits to, he goes all in."

Sad as it is, qw

UDFA NEWS 

Will the New England Patriots keep their impressive streak alive? Having an undrafted free agent make their final roster for a 20th consecutive season.

Last year both Brendon Schooler and DaMarcus Mitchell stuck after not being drafted. This year ... 

The Patriots improved their roster significantly during the NFL Draft, adding a No. 1 cornerback in Christian Gonzalez, four cornerbacks, speedy kick-returners, two receivers and even a new kicker and punter.

Alas, it ain't enough.

A look at the players the Patriots didn't draft, but instead signed as free agents heading into OTAs.

MAY 18

Justus Tavai, DT, San Diego State - In the wake of releasing veteran offensive lineman Yodny Cajuste, the Pats signed Jahlani's brother to get their roster back to 90 players.

APRIL 29

Jourdan Heilig, LB, Appalachian State - At 6-2 and 215 pounds, he's built more like a safety than linebacker and needs to make his mark on special teams to stick.

Johnny Lumpkin, TE, Louisiana - After seven years at the college level - two at Hutchinson Community College and and a whopping five at Louisiana - the 6-5, 264-pounder will get a shot to win a roster spot as a blocking tight end.

Malik Cunningham, QB, Louisville - For a moment it appeared the Pats were flirting with trading up for Kentucky's Will Levis. Instead they gave Mac Jones a long-overdue endorsement and are adding the dual-threat Cunningham, who combined for almost 4,000 yards and 39 touchdowns in 2021 but dropped off a sixth-year senior last season.

More Patriots coverage from Sports Illustrated here.