The New England Patriots released backup offensive lineman Ben Brown on Monday, according to the Boston Herald’s Doug Kyed. It's a move that adds to a surprising string of cuts that have transpired over the course of the last two days as the team finalizes its roster for the 2026 season.
Brown got injured this preseason, which contributed to a lack of depth in the interior offensive line unit, along with Andrew Rupcich being placed on injured reserve. Brown was in line to be New England’s go-to backup at both the guard and center slots for next season.
The move comes as a shocker, even with his injury status, with the team having done much work to improve its offensive line unit this offseason to protect last season’s AP MVP runner-up Drake Maye
better in 2026. Brown is, however, expected to be re-signed by the team in the days to come following the surprise move, according to ESPN's Mike Reiss.
The Patriots will move forward with an interior offensive line unit headlined by Alijah Vera-Tucker at left guard and Mike Onwenu at right guard, as well as Jared Wilson at center for next season.
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This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: Patriots release veteran OL in most surprising roster cut so far
