Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

New England Patriots Cut Quarterback Amid Tom Brady Return Speculation

Originally posted on Gridiron Heroics | By Jordan Sigler | Last updated 5/6/24

The New England Patriots trimmed down their quarterback roster ahead of OTA practices this month. The move came after the Patriots drafted two quarterbacks in the 2024 NFL Draft last month. While the Patriots invested in their quarterback room for the long term, Tom Brady’s name has been linked to the team for the 2024 season.

Following the Mac Jones era disaster, the Patriots traded the former first-round pick to the Jacksonville Jaguars. They drafted Drake Maye with the No. 3 pick and Joe Milton in the sixth round. Maye is expected to be the future QB1. However, Brady invited speculation this spring when he said he’d be open to returning.

Tom Brady is open to returning to the NFL

Brady named the Patriots and Las Vegas Raiders as potential teams he’d be interested in playing for if they needed him. On Sunday, during his roast on Netflix, Brady invited more speculation about a potential return when he said he missed football.

Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo didn’t outright dismiss a reunion with Brady. Mayo said Brady would have to compete for the QB1 spot in training camp, and the Patriots wouldn’t be interested in adding him late in the regular season as an emergency option.

The New England Patriots cut Nathan Rourke

On Monday, the Patriots made an interesting move to cut a quarterback with the smoke surrounding Brady and New England. According to Mike Reiss with ESPN, the Patriots cut Nathan Rourke. The Patriots claimed Rourke off waivers in December.

Rourke is an undrafted free agent who started playing professional football for the CFL in 2021. He signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars last January.

The Patriots informed QB Nathan Rourke that he is being waived, per sources.

This thins the QB room to 4 — Jacoby Brissett, Drake Maye, Bailey Zappe and Joe Milton.

— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) May 6, 2024

The Patriots have four QBs…for now

The Patriots have four quarterbacks heading into the practice portion of OTAs: Jacoby Brissett, Drake Maye, Bailey Zappe, and Joe Milton. That’s a pretty normal number of camp arms to have this time of year.

Per Ian Rapoport with the NFL Network, Zappe is considered a trade target for the Patriots after they drafted Maye and Milton this offseason. Following Rourke’s dismissal from the team, the Patriots could soon have three quarterbacks on their roster.

Could Tom Brady be the fourth quarterback on their roster by the time August rolls around?

This article first appeared on Gridiron Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: