Pair Of Recently Cut Patriots Players Find New Teams In AFC

Two of the four players the New England Patriots released last Friday already have new jobs in the NFL.

Offensive lineman Lecitus Smith signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers off waivers on Monday while linebacker Curtis Jacobs joined the Tennessee Titans, according to the NFL’s transaction wire.

Both Smith and Jacobs had a cup of coffee with the Patriots this past season. Smith, who the Patriots claimed off the Green Bay Packers squad in mid-October given their offensive line troubles, appeared in eight games for New England and earned one start. He hardly was a part of the offensive unit, though, and saw more time of special teams.

The Patriots brought Jacobs in after the Kansas City Chiefs waived him at the end of training camp. Jacobs made it into nine games (two starts) with New England before he was placed on injured reserve in the middle of November. The Penn State product didn’t appear in a game for the Patriots after that.

Like Smith, Jacobs was relied upon more on special teams. Jacobs played 58% of the team’s special teams snaps in his nine appearances.

New England’s array of moves left no room for Smith or Jacobs on the roster. There is a case to be made that the Patriots should have hung onto Smith, who can play center and guard. Those positions aren’t strengths for New England with the Patriots having limited depth behind recently signed center Garrett Bradbury and left guard Layden Robinson.

Jacobs wasn’t the only member of the 2024 Patriots to join the Titans on Monday. Kicker Joey Slye is set to sign with Tennessee.