Patriots cut ex-Broncos defensive lineman ahead of preseason finale

The New England Patriots released veteran defensive lineman Mike Purcell on Wednesday ahead of their preseason finale against the Washington Commanders this weekend.

Purcell (6-3, 328 pounds) has had quite a football journey. He entered the NFL as a college free agent out of Wyoming with the San Francisco 49ers in 2013. After four years in San Francisco, Purcell had brief stints with four teams in 2017 before eventually joining the Kansas City Chiefs.

Purcell spent part of two years in Kansas City before playing for the Salt Lake Stallions in the Alliance of American Football in the spring of 2019. After standing out in the AAF, Purcell returned to the NFL when he signed with the Denver Broncos in April 2019.

Over the last five seasons, Purcell totaled 166 tackles, 14 quarterback hits, 2.5 sacks, four pass breakups and three forced fumbles in 65 games (37 starts) in Denver.

The Broncos opted to not re-sign Purcell when he hit free agency this spring and the lineman landed with the Patriots earlier this month. He earned just north of $14.7 million from 2013-2023, according to Spotrac.com.

Denver made big additions to the defensive line this spring by acquiring John Franklin-Myers in a trade and signing Malcolm Roach during free agency. Those two linemen joined a rotation that already featured Zach Allen and D.J. Jones.

With good depth at the position, it’s hard to imagine the Broncos bringing back a 33-year-old Purcell. If he lands elsewhere, 2024 will mark Purcell’s 12th season in the NFL.