Even though their roster as a whole is relatively young, the New England Patriots have some immense experience within their ranks. Players such as Mack Hollins, Hunter Henry, Morgan Moses, Harold Landry or Kevin Byard have played dozens of games over their multi-year careers in the NFL and garnered experience with multiple teams.
In that latter aspect, however, one player has them all beat: Sebastian Gutierrez, the ultimate journeyman on the Patriots roster. He is on his seventh team in five years
in the league right now.
Hard facts
Name: Sebastian Gutierrez
Position: Offensive tackle/Guard
Jersey number: 61
Opening day age: 28 (7/6/1998)
Measurements: 6’4 7/8”, 315 lbs, 10 1/2” hand size, 32 7/8” arm length, 79 5/8” wingspan, 5.10s 40-yard dash, 7.58s 33-cone drill, 4.68s short shuttle, 32 1/2” vertical jump, 9’4” broad jump, 28 bench press reps, 9.44 Relative Athletic Score
Experience
NFL: Denver Broncos (2022), New England Patriots (2022, 2025-), Las Vegas Raiders (2022, 2023), Kansas City Chiefs (2023), San Francisco 49ers (2023-24, 2024), Cleveland Browns (2024, 2025), Indianapolis Colts (2024) | College: Minot State (2016-21)
A tight end coming out of Pasco, WA, High School, Gutierrez spent his entire college career at Division II’s Minot State. He redshirted his first season and caught just five passes for 32 yards in his second, eventually transitioning to offensive tackle in the lead-up to his third year with the Beavers. He quickly became a fixture along the team’s offensive line and started 33 games before leaving school in 2022.
The two-time second-team All-NSIC selection was subsequently signed as an undrafted free agent by the Broncos in 2022. Thus began a journey that took him to seven different NFL cities over 11 separate stints, including twice with the Patriots: he spent a week on their practice squad in 2022 and re-joined them in 2025.
In total, Gutierrez appeared in two games since turning pro — one for the Raiders in 2022, and another for the 49ers in 2024 — and has a combined 10 snaps between offense and special teams on his résumé. He is the first Minot State alum to play in an NFL game since former Patriots and Giants offensive lineman Terry Falcon in 1980.
Scouting report
Strengths: Gutierrez, who added 105 pounds over the course of his college career, combines a well-sized frame with some strong athleticism. He is a good mover in open space and can quickly reach his landmarks in zone schemes or on screen plays. While not the longest player, he makes use of what he has to force edge rushers to run the loop, and generally mirrors defenders quite effectively. He also has plenty of experience despite playing in only two NFL games so far, and has seen preseason snaps at four of the five offensive line positions (all but center).
Weaknesses: Gutierrez lacks ideal length as an offensive tackle and despite his intriguing athletic profile and versatility has never managed to earn consistent playing time or even roster employment since entering the NFL — an ominous sign heading into his fifth season. He is not the most technically advanced player when it comes to using leverage to his advantage, and also needs to get better at sustaining blocks and keeping defenders engaged. He has shown some flashes as a pass blocker and run defender, but continues to be inconsistent in both areas.
2025 review
Stats: N/A
Season recap: Before his practice squad contract with the 49ers was set to expire in January 2025, Gutierrez was signed to a one-year reserve/futures contract with the team. The pact did give him an opportunity to keep competing for a spot on the developmental roster or, less likely, the 53-man team, but he lasted only one week in training camp before being let go.
It did not take him long to find his next team, however, and it was a familiar one. The Browns, with whom he spent a month during the 2024 regular season, claimed Gutierrez off waivers in early August. He made his practice debut the following day, and went on to play 56 snaps over Cleveland’s three preseason games — lining up both at left and right tackle, and giving up only three quarterback pressures without any sacks.
Despite solid performances during the exhibition schedule, the quality of his reps was low and his release ahead of the roster cutdown deadline no real surprise. A month after the Browns parted ways with him, another of Gutierrez’s former teams came calling: in late September, the Patriots added him to their practice squad.
He spent the remainder of the season either on or off it without seeing any game action. Nonetheless, he was brought back via a futures deal following the Super Bowl.
2026 preview
Position: Swing offensive tackle/Interior offensive line | Ability: Camp body/Practice squad candidate | Contract: Signed through 2026 (2027 ERFA)
What will be his role? Gutierrez has experience in multiple spots up front, and the Patriots seem willing to use him accordingly. During spring practices, for example, he was spotted lining up as the left guard with the third-string offensive line. Whether he eventually will end up as a guard or tackle, he will be a depth option.
What is his growth potential? Although there is not a lot of wear and tear on Gutierrez’s tires, his developmental upside seems limited at this point in his career. He already is 28 and seems maxed-out physically, and so far has not been able to find a constant role with any of his seven NFL teams. His future appears to be as a multi-positional backup, at best.
Does he have positional versatility? Gutierrez’s versatility might be his best asset. He has played left tackle, left guard, right guard and right tackle during his preseason career, and also seen a handful of snaps on the field goal and extra point protection units.
What is his salary cap situation? The one-year futures deal Gutierrez signed with the Patriots in February consists entirely of a non-guaranteed $1.075 million base salary that simultaneously functions as his cap hit. That number puts him in a six-player group with Terrell Jennings, Otis Reese, Andrew Rupcich, Jack Westover and Charles Woods who also share the same basic contract and same cap number. Five of those six are on New England’s Top 51 list and counted against the cap at the moment, while one is not.
How safe is his roster spot? Standing on shaky contractual ground is nothing new to Gutierrez, and 2026 is shaping up to be no different. He is a roster bubble player along an offensive line that has five starters in place and considerable depth behind them. This, in turn, limits the opportunities for players like him to make it onto the 53-man team.
Summary: Gutierrez’s career so far is one of perseverance, but a nice story won’t help him make the team. Unless he shows immense development relative to his first four seasons in the league, and there is little reason to suggest that will happen, he once again should have his sights set on the practice squad rather than the 53-man roster. Frankly, if he finds himself on the 53 at one point this fall, the Patriots’ O-line might be in trouble.
What do you think about Sebastian Gutierrez heading into the 2026 season? Is it finally his year? Or will his journey through the NFL continue? Please head down to the comment section to share your thoughts.
