The New England Patriots cut quarterback Cody Kessler on Wednesday. He was serving as the team’s third-string signal-caller. He was not active for game day during his short tenure with the Patriots. His departure leaves the Patriots with just Tom Brady and Jarrett Stidham at quarterback.
His release was among a handful of transactions the team announced on Tuesday.
- The Patriots signed tight ends Ben Watson and Eric Tomlinson to the 53-man roster and cut Kessler in a corresponding move. (They had already placed fullback Jakob Johnson on IR over the weekend, which freed up the second space on the roster.)
- The Patriots then signed offensive lineman Tyler Gauthier and receiver Devin Ross to the practice squad.
- They also released kicker Younghoe Koo and tight end Jason Vander Laan from the practice squad.
The Patriots go four-deep at tight end with Matt LaCosse injury and Ryan Izzo showing less upside than anticipated. The team is also without a fullback after Johnson and James Develin went on IR, hence the additions at tight end.
Perhaps the Patriots are confident in Mike Nugent’s ability to succeed in New England, as they have moved on from Koo, who seemed like an insurance policy in the event Nugent didn’t pan out. Still, the Patriots brought in a handful of kickers for a workout on Monday, per ESPN.
