The New England Patriots held five free-agent workouts on Monday, and among them was a quarterback.
As first reported by ESPN’s Mike Reiss, the Patriots brought in former Purdue QB Austin Burton for a workout in Foxboro on Monday. Burton played the final three years of his college career with the Boilermakers, and also played UCLA prior to that, finishing as a sixth-year senior. He completed 64.3 percent of his passes for 273 yards and threw three touchdowns against two interceptions in six games for Purdue in 2022.
Burton also happens to be a native of Newton, Mass. and the son of longtime WBZ-TV Sports Director Steve Burton, who played quarterback at Northwestern from 1982-84. At Purdue, Austin Burton spent time as Purdue’s backup behind Aidan O’Connell, who is now the starting quarterback for the Las Vegas Raiders after being drafted there in April.
But this is the most interest an NFL team has shown in Austin of late. He did get to have a workout at B.C.’s Pro Day in front of Patriots scouts.
WEST LAFAYETTE, INDIANA – SEPTEMBER 24: Austin Burton #12 of the Purdue Boilermakers runs the ball during the first half against the Florida Atlantic Owls at Ross-Ade Stadium on September 24, 2022 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
The Patriots quarterback room could be in need of another new face, if only for depth purposes. According to MassLive’s Chris Mason, the recently waived Will Grier is expected to “explore his options” after clearing waivers and becoming a free agent. Grier spent 10 weeks on the Patriots roster without seeing the field. Patriots head coach Bill Belichick said Sunday that the Pats waived Grier to make room for tackle Conor McDermott.
As of Monday evening, the Patriots have Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe on the 53-man roster, and rookie Malik Cunningham on the practice squad. It’s likely that, at this point, it’s still between Jones and Zappe as to who starts on Sundays.
Here’s a quick look at the Patriots’ other free-agent workouts on Monday…
