Patriots Release Offensive Tackle Conor McDermott

The New England Patriots added to their offensive tackles group in the NFL Draft. Following the draft, they parted ways with one of their veteran tackles. The Patriots announced on Monday that they have released Conor McDermott.

The Patriots originally drafted McDermott in the 2017 NFL Draft out of UCLA. The 6-foot-8 lineman failed to make New England’s 53-man roster out of training camp. He signed with the Buffalo Bills. McDermott played two seasons in Buffalo, appearing in eight games. Buffalo waived him on Oct. 3, 2019. McDermott signed with the New York Jets.

Conor McDermott spent parts of four seasons with New York. He played in 35 games for the Jets, including his first six NFL starts. He played in eight games for New York in 2022 before being assigned to their practice squad. On Nov. 22, 2022, the Patriots signed McDermott off the Jets practice squad.

Return to New England

McDermott started the final six games of the 2022 season for New England at right tackle. He held up very well on the right side,  However, McDermott could not stay healthy and secure the starting right tackle spot heading into 2023. The Patriots placed McDermott on season-ending Injured Reserve before the start of the season with an undisclosed injury.

On Sept. 8, 2023, he reached an injury settlement with the Patriots. This removed him from IR and placed him on waivers. Since he passed through the waiver process, McDermott could return to an NFL team after passing a physical. He did just that and rejoined New England. The Patriots were forced to play McDermott at left tackle, with Trent Brown missing time. He played in six games, starting five.

With Conor McDermott departing, the New England Patriots have Mike Onwenu, Chuckwruma Okorafor, Caeden Wallace, Calvin Anderson, Vederian Lowe, Tyrone Wheatley Jr., Andrew Stueber, and UDFA Zuri Henry as offensive tackles on the roster heading into camp. Starting right guard Sidy Sow can also shift to tackle, where he played in college.