Patriots place starting LT on exempt/left squad list, future with team in doubt

The New England Patriots signed Chukwuma Okorafor in the hopes that he could help solidify their left tackle spot this season.

That experiment has lasted 12 plays.

After Okorafor was benched early in the Pats' season-opening win against the Cincinnati Bengals, the team placed him on the exempt/left squad list on Saturday just before its Week 2 game against the Seattle Seahawks.

Offensive lineman Michael Jordan has been added to the roster in his place.

Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald reported Okorafor told the team "he was leaving."

MassLive Sports' Karen Guregian added that Okorafor is questioning his future.

Longtime Patriots beat writer Mike Reiss speculated that Okorafor will not play again for the Patriots this season.

All of this is eye-opening and noteworthy because Okorafor's time as a starter with his previous team, the Pittsburgh Steelers, ended when he reportedly "acted out" following a midseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars and for questioning the team's play-calling. The next week, he was replaced in the starting lineup.

The Patriots signed Okorafor to a one-year contract worth $4 million that could have been worth as much as $8 million with incentives and bonuses.