The New England Patriots are cutting offensive tackle Chukwuma Okorafor from their team after he left the team in the middle of the 2024 season. The former Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle signed with the Patriots this offseason on a one-year deal and was scheduled to be a free agent, but releasing him now will allow him to find a team earlier.

Okorafor unexpectedly left the team after he was benched during the team’s Week 1 game. He struggled during the preseason and Week 1, with Vederian Lowe taking over after a lackluster effort. He was called for multiple illegal formation rules under the NFL’s new emphasis while trying to crack down on offensive linemen getting head starts on pass rushers.

The Steelers drafted Okorafor in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft. He spent six seasons with the Steelers, starting out as their swing tackle and eventually growing into the starting right tackle. He was benched midyear for Broderick Jones, and the team released him in March.