Patriots trim roster to 53 and in the process, make some surprising cuts

Posted By on August 30, 2023

Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images

Bailey Zappe was a surprise cut by the Patriots on Tuesday.

The Patriots sent shockwaves around New England this afternoon with some of the cuts they made. 

Bailey Zappe and Malik Cunningham especially got peoples attention. There were others as well. 

Here are all the players who were cut and our thoughts on why they were released.

S Joshuah Bledsoe: Bledsoe battled injuries his first two seasons and never really carved a role for himself, especially in the secondary. Could return on the practice squad. 

QB Malik Cunningham: This isn’t that big of a surprise. I think we all got caught up in the moment after the Texans preseason game. Cunningham was far from a lock to make the team. He could return on the practice squad but he will generate interest from other teams. 

OL James Ferentz: The veteran offensive  lineman got squeezed out by the young guys. Ferentz is tough, competitive and experienced but in the end, the youth of the other lineman trumped all that. 

TE Anthony Firkser: Firkser would have been a departure from the other tight ends on the roster but despite having a good camp, he also got squeezed by the need to carry 11 offensive lineman. 

LB Joe Giles-Harris: JGH was a late addition to the roster and did not play enough to make an impression. 

RB Kevin Harris: Harris was solid to start camp but didn’t do enough the last two weeks of camp to stay off the bubble. He could end up back on the practice squad. 

OL Chasen Hines: Hines is another one who could end up back on the practice squad. He spent time on the main roster last season but didn’t show much in limited action. He also didn’t show much in camp either. We shall see. 

RB Ty Montgomery: Montgomery missed most of camp due to injury. He hasn’t really played in his Patriots tenure so it is hard to say if he come back to the team on the practice squad. Montgomery will draw interest from teams around the league. 

LB Calvin Munson: The Patriots like Munson so don’t be surprised if he ends up back on the practice squad. He can be a core special teamer. 

OL Bill Murray: Murray had a good camp and his versatility makes him a prime candidate to end up on the practice squad. 

EDGE Ronnie Perkins: Perkins hasn’t been able to stay healthy so it has been difficult to see what he can actually do. He did not do enough in training camp to get on the radar of the coaching staff. Despite that, he could end up back on the practice squad. 

DL Jeremiah Pharms Jr: Given the talent and depth at defensive tackle and end, Pharms would have been a long shot to make the team. 

WR Thyrick Pitts: Pitts just didn’t enough to have a shot at making the team. The emergence of Pop Douglas and Kayshon Boutte made it hard for other receivers on the outside, looking in to make the team. 

OL Kody Russey: The Patriots like Russey and his versatility so he could end up back with the team on the practice squad. 

TE Matt Sokol: Sokol had a good camp. He worked hard and proved that he was versatile. The offensive line needs made it hard to carry three tight ends. 

OL Andrew Steuber: Steuber had an up and down camp but his guard, tackle versatility make him a prime candidate to return on the practice squad. 

 RB J.J. Taylor: Taylor had a good camp and there is a good chance he is re-signed to the practice squad. The organization likes Taylor a lot but again, it became a numbers game on offense thanks to the offensive line needs. 

WR Raleigh Webb: Webb competed but in the end, he couldn’t get meaningful reps at wide receiver and didn’t show enough on special teams. 

QB Bailey Zappe: Stunned that Zappe was released. That being said, he struggled this preseason so it shouldn’t be that much of a surprise. I can see him back on the practice squad but I can also see him generating interest in the open market.