Patriots could have made a massive mistake by letting this young defender leave

The New England Patriots have been in major headlines this offseason as they've been linked to star wideouts like A.J. Brown and Alec Pierce (who re-signed with the Colts), released Stefon Diggs, and traded starting center Garrett Bradbury. While each of those stories might be more notable, they've made some quieter moves over the past few days.

The team recently inked backup quarterback Tommy DeVito to a new contract and began notifying several restricted free agents (RFAs) and exclusive rights free agents (ERFAs) that they won't be returning. Among those players was Alex Austin, who was slated to be an RFA this week.

After entering the league out of Oregon State as a seventh-round pick by the Bills in 2023, he'd be waived and claimed by the Texans in August of his rookie year. After being demoted to the practice squad and eventually released, New England signed him.

He had his first career interception against the team that drafted him, and looked like a promising player as a rookie. By the end of his third season in the league this year, Austin had five head coaches.

The Patriots may have made a mistake by ridding of Alex Austin

Austin showed he had potential early on, and still only 24, ridding of him could prove to be a massive mistake. Aside from having three coaches during his time in New England, injuries have forced him to have a start-and-stop career thus far.

In 2024, Austin was placed on IR after suffering an ankle injury in Week 3, and he would total just 9 games in his second season. This year, he played in 12 regular-season games and was activated off IR (wrist) prior to the team's playoff game against the Texans.

Austin has played 29 total games through three seasons, and while his career started with a bang, 2025 wasn't his best. He had the team's worst PFF grade of any position, and after his injury, played special teams almost exclusively, with early-season waiver claim Charles Woods taking the CB4 snaps.

Austin will no doubt get another opportunity, but New England may have been foolish to let him walk. Woods hasn't proven he can be a reliable option as a fourth cornerback, and the Dolphins signed special teamer Miles Battle to a futures contract after the Patriots passed.

Marcellas Dial, who spent 2025 on IR with an ACL tear, has played special teams almost exclusively, while Mr. Irrelevant Kobee Minor and Brandon Crossley shouldn't be expected to offer much aside from special teams upside.

Austin was the most experienced cornerback on the team aside from the starting trio, and they'll need to find an upgrade if they want to continue competing defensively next year.

I've previously mentioned options in the draft, like Georgia's Daylen Everett or Washington's Tacario Davis, to fill the void, but veterans like Amik Robertson, or perhaps a reunion with Jonathan Jones, could make for interesting additions.

Time will tell, but the Patriots should be looking to replace the former three-star sooner rather than later.