New England retained most of its practice squad
The Patriots began the process of constructing their 2023 roster Tuesday, locking up most of their 2022 practice squad.
New England signed the following 11 players to future contracts two days after its season-ending loss in Buffalo:
LB Terez Hall
DB Brad Hawkins
OL Hayden Howerton
DB Quandre Mosely
LB Calvin Munson
WR Tre Nixon
DL Jeremiah Pharms Jr.
DL LaBryan Ray
TE Matt Sokol
RB J.J. Taylor
TE Scotty Washington
Hawkins, Mosely, Munson, Sokol, Taylor and Washington appeared in games for the Patriots this season, with Sokol leading that group with 34 total snaps played. Washington was placed on injured reserve after his lone appearance and was seen with a cast on his ankle during Monday’s locker-room cleanout.
Injuries prevented Ray from contributing as an undrafted rookie, but he might be the most intriguing of the Patriots’ future signees. The Alabama product was a training camp and preseason standout, with many projecting he’d make the team’s Week 1 roster.
Five members of the Patriots’ P-squad were not retained: quarterback Garrett Gilbert, linebacker Jamie Collins, kicker Tristan Vizcaino, offensive lineman Bill Murray and wide receiver Lynn Bowden.
Murray, who’s been with New England since May 2020, transitioned from defensive tackle during training camp and was elevated to the gameday roster three times this season, logging three snaps on special teams. Bowden, whose offensive versatility made him a notable September pickup, spent the entire season on the practice squad, playing 14 snaps in his lone elevation.
NFL teams cannot begin trading players or signing external free agents until the new league year opens March 15.