After a very short-lived tenure with the Patriots, Chukwuma Okorafor has a new deal in place that will keep him in the AFC East. The veteran tackle signed with the Jets on Wednesday, per the transactions wire.
Okorafor’s 2024 season could not have gone much worse. The Patriots went into the year with major question marks along the offensive line, including left tackle. Okorafor was the first man up, but he lasted just 12 snaps in New England’s regular season opener before being benched for poor performance. Shortly thereafter, he voluntarily left the team and did not return.
It sounded as if he could even retire, as it was reported that he was “checked out mentally” and “contemplating his future in football.” Last month, though, it became clear that he intended to continue his playing career, and the Pats did him a favor by cutting him early so that he could get a head start on free agency.
Despite the forgettable 2024 season, Okorafor has found a new employer on the first day of the 2025 league year. And while he was clearly miscast as a blindside blocker, he has plenty of starting experience on the right side, serving as the Steelers’ primary RT from 2020-22 (he lost his starting job to Broderick Jones midway through the 2023 campaign).
Though Okorafor was not a world-beater during his time in Pittsburgh, he did enough to land a three-year, $29.25MM deal from the club in 2022. The above-referenced benching in 2023 was triggered not by especially poor play, but by unspecified comments he made at the end of a Week 8 loss.
The Jets allowed 2024 RT Morgan Moses to defect to the Patriots, and it would be surprising if Okorafor represented New York’s primary Moses replacement plan. He will nonetheless provide experienced depth at a (presumably) inexpensive rate.
Adam La Rose contributed to this post.
Didn’t he just quit on NE last year?
Yep, after like 4 snaps
Jeted again
Not ideal when my first reaction is “Didn’t he retire?” Hopefully a draft pick shunts him to swing duty.
…to play football? In pads during games and stuff?
Such a Jets move. This dude went AWOL last year after being questioned as a starter on the worst line in football. Maybe he pans out for them.
Pats sign Morgan Moses away from the Jets so they counter by signing the former Pat. I’m looking forward to the Pats blitzing the brakes off this guy next yr.
No blitz necessary with this quitter at LT.
Up Chuks is back.
Sucked in Pittsburgh. Abandoned New England . Perfect fit for the Jets