Patriots Cut Marte Mapu: Performance-Based Decision

0:00It's April 7. Welcome in. This is NFL News Today, where football meets AI. The New England Patriots are cutting ties with their 2023 third-round pick, Marte Maapu. ESPN's Mike Rice broke the news on X2 day morning. Maapu, the 76 overall selection, heads into the final year of his rookie deal worth just $1.5 million, so this move ain't. About the money, it's purely performance-based. Maapu came out of Sacramento State at the FCS level, seen as a tweener between safety and linebacker. He settled in at linebacker, and also protected punts on special teams. Over three seasons, he suited up for 44 games, starting 10. Fans aren't holding back their shade online, highlighting the guys drafted right after him. Pick 77 went to Byron Young, the Rams' disruptive pass rusher. The Packers grabbed tie-to-and-tucker craft at 78, and the cult snag receiver Josh Downs at 79. Those picks make Maapu's draft spot look rough in hindsight.

1:03On the field, Maapu notched one interception each year, forced five fumbles total, and racked up 89 tackles. His best coming with 46 in, just 10 games his past season. Still, the pads feel he's had a shot. With this release, New England clear space as they reshape the defense, betting on fresh talent to step up next year.