The Pittsburgh Steelers are no strangers to uncertainty along the offensive line. Tackle Broderick Jones has flipped back and forth between the left and right side, injuries have already left their mark, and first-round lineman Troy Fautanu is yet to play in the regular season.
The New England Patriots have it worse.
For one, the unit on paper was bad enough to prevent rookie quarterback Drake Maye from starting from the jump. With the risk of injury, bad habits, and overall dysfunction threatening the trajectory of his career, Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo decided to take it slow with the face of the franchise.
On that offensive line was left tackle Chukwuma Okorafor, his first first season up north after six with Pittsburgh.
It seems his Patriots career lasted all of 12 snaps.
According to Pro Football Focus, Okorafor played on six passing downs and gave up three pressures, including two hurries and a quarterback hit. That kind of win rate is synonymous with sabotage, and it landed him on the bench.
The tackle was benched, but the next step was taken on Saturday. New England placed him on the exempt/left list.
Unhappy with how things have played out, Okorafor told the team he was leaving, although he has not yet decided if he still wants to play football, per Karen Guregian. New England is in contact with his representatives about the next steps.
Unhappy with how things have played out, Okorafor told the team he was leaving, although he has not yet decided if he still wants to play football, per Karen Guregian. New England is in contact with his representatives about the next steps.
