Patriots Sign Rookie Running Back, Release Super Bowl Champion

The New England Patriots shook up their running backs room on Tuesday with a pair of moves.

New England announced on Tuesday afternoon that it had signed rookie running back Shane Watts and released fellow running back Deneric Prince. The latter won a Super Bowl with the Kansas City Chiefs during the 2023 season, playing 15 special teams snaps across two regular season games.

Prince spent the 2024 campaign on the Miami Dolphins practice squad and was signed by the Patriots on Sunday.

According to ESPN’s Mike Reiss, Prince was released before taking the field for practice.

The 23-year-old Watts played four seasons at Division II Fort Hayes State, finishing the 2024 campaign with 1,752 all-purpose yards and 17 total touchdowns. Watts had 1,303 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground, with 449 yards through the air and four scores as well.

His big 2024 season came after he played his first two college seasons as a defensive back.