The New England Patriots are looking to shake things up after a gut-wrenching loss on Sunday - one that saw them cough up a 21-0 lead and fall to the division-rival Buffalo Bills. With just three games left in the regular season, that defeat has tightened the race in the AFC East, leaving New England clinging to a one-game edge over Buffalo.
In response, the Patriots are making a roster move they hope can help stabilize things down the stretch. On Monday, the team signed linebacker Chad Muma off the Indianapolis Colts' practice squad, adding him directly to their 53-man roster.
Now, this isn’t just a depth move. When you sign a player off another team’s practice squad, NFL rules require you to place them on your active roster - which means the Patriots see Muma as someone who can contribute right away.
Muma, a 2022 third-round pick out of Wyoming, brings size and experience to the table. At 6-foot-3 and 239 pounds, he’s a physical presence who’s already logged 55 NFL games in his young career. Most of that action came during his time with the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he played in 50 games across three seasons, racking up 94 tackles and 1.5 sacks along the way.
This year, Muma saw limited action with the Colts - just five games, five tackles, and only 32 snaps on defense. But where he did make his mark was on special teams, logging 71 snaps in that phase of the game. That versatility is likely what caught New England’s eye.
The Patriots have long valued players who can wear multiple hats, and Muma fits that mold. He’s a high-motor, assignment-sound linebacker who can step in on special teams immediately and potentially earn more defensive snaps as he gets up to speed in the system.
And the timing couldn’t be more critical. New England heads to Baltimore this Sunday night for a primetime clash in Week 16 - a tough matchup against one of the AFC's top teams. Muma will be eligible to suit up, and given the nature of his signing, there’s a good chance we see him on the field in some capacity.
For the Patriots, this is more than just a mid-December roster tweak. It’s a calculated move to bolster a unit that needs fresh energy and reliable depth. And for Muma, it’s a chance to prove he belongs - not just on a roster, but in the thick of meaningful football with playoff implications on the line.