Patriots Lose Austin to Free Agency

0:00For the NFL, it's March 5th. Here's what's happening. Make sure you're subscribed so you never miss an update. The New England Patriots will head into the 2026 NFL season without cornerback Alex Austin. The team decided not to offer him a restricted free agent tender, making the 24-year-old an unrestricted free agent. Austin has been a key special team's player and depth option in the secondary over the past couple of years. Here this season, Austin missed time due to an injury from a special team's play against the Cincinnati Bengals in late November. He underwent a minor procedure and returned for the playoffs, including three games and the Super Bowl loss to the Seattle Seahawks. Before getting hurt, he played in 12 games with 13 tackles, one tackle for loss, and one pass break up. Austin joined the Patriots in early November amid injuries to other cornerbacks, like first-round pick, Christian Gonzalez. The Oregon State products showed good speed and coverage skills, finishing with nine tackles,

1:00two pass breakups, and one interception in five games for. New England. As a third-year veteran, Austin was drafted in the final rounds by the Buffalo Bills in 2023, then balanced between the Houston Texans. roster and practice squad, before landing with the Pats. He provided steady depth behind Gonzalez and Jonathan Jones. Now the Patriots cornerback group includes Gonzalez, Carlton Davis III, Marcus Jones, Charles Woods, Kobe Minor, Marcella's Dial, and Brandon, crossley as they prepare for the new league year. Austin could draw interest from teams needing special teams' help and perimeter depth. The daily news now is powered by our sponsor. No ear buds, no headbands, no awkward sleeping positions, just a pillow that plays your sound. to go to go to