Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

The New England Patriots reportedly told Andrew Stueber they plan to waive him. New England reduces the number of offensive linemen on their 90-man offseason roster to 17. ESPN’s Mike Reiss was the first to report the move.

Stueber is a New England native. He attended high school in Darien, Conn. He played collegiately for the Michigan Wolverines, where he became their starting right tackle. At 6-foo-6 and 318 pounds, Steueber had the size needed to continue his football career into the pro ranks.

The Patriots selected Stueber in the seventh round (No. 245 overall) in the 2022 NFL Draft. His rookie season was over before it began. New England placed him on the non-football injury list on Aug. 23, 2022, and remained there for the year. He was among the final cuts heading into the 2023 season but was signed back to the Patriots practice squad.

Also Read – Meet the New England Patriots 90-Man Roster (Plus One)

Stueber spent the 2023 season on New England’s practice squad. The team elevated him to the active roster twice last season but did not appear in either game. He had been participating in OTAs but faced an uphill battle to make the 53-man roster.

An Open Roster Spot in New England

The release of Andrew Stueber opens up a roster spot for the Patriots. Several available NFL free agents could help New England. It is unclear if the Stueber transaction is being made with somebody specific in mind to take his spot.

Despite Stueber’s departure, competition for the offensive line spots on the 53-man roster will remain fierce. Mike Onwenu, David Andrews, Sidy Sow, and rookies Caeden Wallace and Layden Robinson are safe bets to make the 53-man roster. That leaves 12 players fighting for 5-to-7 spots. The remaining offensive linemen (listed alphabetically) are Calvin Anderson, Jake Andrews, Zuri Henry, Ryan Johnson, Michael Jordan, Nick Leverett, Vederian Lowe, Atonio Mafi, Chukwuma Okorafor, Charles Turner III, and Tyrone Wheatley Jr. Guard Cole Strange is expected to begin the year on PUP or IR.

Andrew Steuber possesses solid size, some experience at the pro level, and is still just 24 years old. If he remains healthy, his tenure with the New England Patriots is likely not his last opportunity to latch on with an NFL team.

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