It looks like the New England Patriots are not finished looking for a young quarterback who can become the heir-apparent to veteran signal-caller Tom Brady. The Patriots drafted Danny Etling in the seventh round of the 2018 NFL Draft and signed him to a four-year rookie contract. With Etling’s signing, the Patriots have three quarterbacks on their roster – Brady, Brian Hoyer and Etling. However, the Patriots are planning to look for other quarterback talents in the next few weeks. On Thursday, they brought in Austin Apodaca, who last played in the Canadian Football League, for a workout at Gillette Stadium, per The Albuquerque Journal.
In college, the 24-year-old Apodaca played for Mesa Community College before transferring to Washington State, and then to New Mexico. Apodaca spent his junior and senior years with the Lobos, but he never became a full-time starter. In his two seasons with the Lobos, Apodaca completed 109-of-206 passes for 1,356 yards and six touchdowns, with eight interceptions. He joined last year’s NFL Draft, but went undrafted. Then, he signed with the CFL’s Winnipeg Blue Bombers but was cut after the preseason. Last season, he was out of football before suiting up in The Spring League. Aside from the Patriots, Apodaca also worked out for the Buffalo Bills last week.
Patriots release rookie receiver
Meanwhile, the Patriots released rookie wide receiver Chris Lacy, whom they signed as an undrafted free agent earlier this month, per Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle.
The move thinned the logjam in the Patriots’ wide receiving corps before the start of organized team activities. Before making the move, the Patriots had 12 wide receivers on the 90-man roster. The list includes Julian Edelman, Chris Hogan, special teams captain Matthew Slater, Jordan Matthews, Cordarrelle Patterson, Malcolm Mitchell, Kenny Britt, Phillip Dorsett, 2018 sixth-round draft pick Braxton Berrios, Riley McCarron, and Cody Hollister.
The Patriots are expected to have around six or seven wide receivers on their 53-man roster. Before releasing Lacy, the Patriots let go of undrafted rookie receiver Darren Andrews and subsequently placed him on the non-football injury list after he cleared waivers. Then, the Patriots filled Andrews’ spot by signing undrafted rookie punter Corey Bojorquez.
The Patriots’ OTA will begin Monday and will last until June 15. The Patriots will conduct their three-day mandatory minicamp from June 5 to June 7.
Patriots bring back guard
After releasing Lacy, the Patriots brought back guard Jason King to their 90-man roster, days after cutting him. Last season, King made it to the Patriots’ practice squad, 90, and 53-man rosters. King will rejoin starters David Andrews, Joe Thuney and Shaq Mason, and reserves Ted Karras, Cole Croston, Luke Bowanko, Matt Tobin and James Ferentz on the Patriots’ offensive line depth chart.
