The Patriots are shaking up their roster just ahead of the final stretch of the season, making a flurry of moves that could have some intriguing implications down the line. Headlining the latest additions is running back Elijah Mitchell, who’s joining New England’s practice squad after a brief stint with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Mitchell, 27, is no stranger to NFL action. A sixth-round pick out of Louisiana back in 2021, he made an early impact with the 49ers and quickly carved out a role in a crowded backfield.
His rookie deal with San Francisco was a four-year pact worth just over $3.6 million - a solid value for a player who showed flashes of starting-caliber production when healthy. But injuries and depth chart shifts eventually pushed him down the pecking order.
After hitting free agency this past offseason, Mitchell landed with the Chiefs, but his time in Kansas City was short-lived. He appeared in just one game this season before being waived in mid-December. Now, he gets a fresh opportunity in Foxborough, where the Patriots continue to search for backfield depth and potential playmakers.
But Mitchell isn’t the only new face in the building. The Patriots are also signing offensive lineman Brenden Jaimes to the 53-man roster.
Jaimes brings some versatility and experience to a unit that’s dealt with its fair share of injuries and inconsistencies this year. A former mid-round pick, he offers depth across multiple positions on the line - something that becomes even more valuable as teams gear up for the grind of late-season football.
Also joining the practice squad is wide receiver Brandon Smith, a move that adds another layer of competition and developmental potential to New England’s receiving corps. While Smith may not be a household name, practice squad additions like this often serve as low-risk, high-upside bets - especially for a team still evaluating long-term pieces on offense.
To make room for the new additions, the Patriots are placing defensive lineman Joshua Farmer on injured reserve, and offensive tackle Sebastian Gutierrez has been released from the practice squad. Farmer’s move to IR is a tough blow for a defensive front that’s relied on rotational depth all season. As for Gutierrez, his release opens up space for Jaimes and reflects the ever-evolving nature of roster management in December.
All told, these moves may not make major headlines, but they reflect a team still tinkering, still evaluating, and still looking for the right mix of talent as the season winds down. For Mitchell, Jaimes, and Smith, this is a chance to prove they belong - and for the Patriots, it’s another step in reshaping a roster that’s very much in transition.