Patriots releasing veteran offensive lineman signifies belief in new center

The New England Patriots have started three different centers through their first six games of the 2024 season, and now, they're moving on from one of them.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, New England released Nick Leverett on Monday.

The 27-year-old was brought in this offseason on a one-year deal and was expected to compete for a starting job at guard, his primary position, alongside Sidy Sow.

Due to injuries to both David and Jake Andrews, Leverett was thrust into being the team's starting center, and he didn't exactly have the best time at his new spot.

In Week 5, he posted a 26.6 overall PFF grade, including a 7.9 pass-blocking grade.

Against the Houston Texans, the Patriots opted to start Ben Brown at center just days after joining the team from the Las Vegas Raiders practice squad.

On Monday, Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo spoke highly of Brown before Leverett's release.

"Look, this is one of those things, I've never seen it before," Mayo said. "A guy being able to come in here after four or five days and become the starting center. So, he did a great job. I would say he probably was our best lineman yesterday, and he did a good job for us. He did a good job all through the week during practice, and then went out there and performed pretty well."

With this transaction, it looks like New England is committing to keeping Brown on the field and at center for as long as he's healthy and keeps playing the way he did in Week 6.

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