
The New England Patriots announced they signed DE Darrell Taylor to the practice squad and released RB Elijah Mitchell in a corresponding move.
Patriots sign DE Darrell Taylor to the practice squad; Release RB Elijah Mitchell from the practice squad: https://t.co/aT4S0oSxch pic.twitter.com/XWcrEjNkFl
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) January 14, 2026
Mitchell, 27, was a sixth-round pick out of Louisiana by the 49ers in the 2021 draft. He signed a four-year rookie deal with the team in May of that year worth $3,663,568, including a $183,568 signing bonus.
Mitchell was an unrestricted free agent for the first time this past offseason and signed with the Chiefs, but they waived him in mid-December. He caught on with the Patriots’ practice squad shortly after.
In 2025, Mitchell has appeared in one game for the Chiefs.
Taylor, 27, was a three-year starter at Tennessee. The Seahawks traded up with the Jets to select him with the No. 48 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.
He signed a four-year, $6,764,507 rookie contract that includes a $2,479,641 signing bonus. However, he missed his entire rookie season and did not accrue a year of experience.
Taylor was set to be a restricted free agent until signing an extension with Seattle. He was set to earn a base salary of $3,136,000 in 2024 when he was traded to the Bears coming out of the preseason.
He then signed with the Texans for the 2025 season on a one-year, $4.75 million contract.
In 2025, Taylor appeared in four games for the Texans and recorded three total tackles.
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