A Textbook Bubble Pop
The New England Patriots just did something that feels less like a shock and more like a formality. Otis Reese, a linebacker who joined the squad via the practice squad last November, is now on the street. Pats Pulpit noted that his situation was “textbook roster bubble” long before the cut came down. He was on a minimum deal and had not played in an NFL game for nearly 19 months. That kind of gap in action usually spells trouble for any player trying to make a 53-man roster. The team decided to act early rather than wait until the final roster crunch. This isn’t a surprise to anyone watching the camp closely. Reese was never viewed as a starter, but a depth piece who needed to prove his worth on special teams.
Reese is gone.
Cutting Reese does one major thing for the Patriots right now: it frees up a roster spot. The team currently has 90 of its 91 available spots filled, according to Pats Pulpit. One spot remains open, and the front office will likely look to fill it with a fresh face. The club already tested the waters by hosting safeties Eric Butler and Tysheem Johnson for free agency workouts on Friday. Neither player got signed yet, but the door is clearly open for someone to step in. The Patriots will have to trim the squad down to 53 players within the next month. This move gives them a clear slot to plug in a player who might have a better shot at making the final team. It signals that the coaching staff isn’t afraid to make quick changes to find the right fit.
Depth Takes a Hit
The real cost of releasing Reese is the loss of depth at the linebacker position. The Patriots entered the week with nine linebackers and now exit with just eight in the fold. The starting duo of Robert Spillane and Christian Elliss remains locked in, but the backup plan just got thinner. K.J. Britt and Chad Muma are the next men up, even though undrafted rookie Khalil Jacobs has shown some solid moments in camp. The team still has Amari Gainer, Namdi Obiazor, and Riley Wilson to round out the group. There is no financial pain here, either. Reese was playing on a non-guaranteed $1.075 million base salary. Removing him from the books has zero impact on the salary cap because another player on the same deal is taking his place. The money stays the same, but the bodies on the field just got fewer. Can the Patriots afford to lose that depth when injuries hit? They’ll find out soon enough.
