The New England Patriots are bringing back a familiar offensive lineman at a point when their depth up front has been stretched thin.
Sports Illustrated’s Ethan Hurwitz reported Monday that New England signed Jack Conley, a 6-foot-7, 333-pound guard who spent two separate stints with the organization as a rookie last year.
He spent two separate stints with the team last year as a rookie.
The reunion comes less than a week after the Cleveland Browns waived Conley on Aug. 18 and only days before the two teams meet in Thursday’s preseason finale.
At the moment, the Patriots are sorting through a cluster of injuries along the offensive line, giving Conley an immediate opportunity to compete for a roster or practice squad spot.
Conley Returns to Familiar Patriots System
GettyFOXBOROUGH, MA – JULY 28: Jack Conley #74 of the New England Patriots heads to the field during training camp at Gillette Stadium on July 28, 2025 in Foxborough, Massachusetts.(Photo By Winslow Townson/Getty Images)
Conley originally joined New England as an undrafted free agent out of Boston College in May 2025. The Patriots listed him at guard, but his college background gave them more flexibility than that label suggests.
Per the Patriots’ announcement when they signed their 2025 rookie class, Conley played right guard, left guard, right tackle and even lined up as a tackle-eligible tight end during his college career. He started all 12 games at right guard in his final season and earned All-ACC honorable mention.
That versatility helped Conley remain in the Patriots’ plans after he missed the initial 53-man roster last summer. New England released him during final cuts, signed him to the practice squad the following day and briefly moved on before bringing him back again in September.
His Patriots run ended later that month, but Conley stayed on the league’s radar.
He spent time with Detroit before joining Cleveland’s practice squad in December and later returning to the Browns on a futures deal.
Cleveland’s patience with Conley continued into this summer. The Browns waived him Aug. 4, re-signed him three days later and waived him again Aug. 18 when they added a wide receiver.
Now, Conley has landed back where his NFL career began.
New England closes its exhibition schedule Thursday night in Cleveland, meaning Conley could have a chance to face the Browns nine days after they let him go.
Patriots Need More Answers Along Offensive Line
The signing seems like a necessity as New England has been forced to keep reshuffling its second-unit offensive line.
Ben Brown suffered a leg injury in the preseason opener against Indianapolis, and Mike Vrabel said the interior lineman would be out for an extended stretch.
Andrew Rupcich was also injured in that game, landed on injured reserve and was later waived with an injury settlement.
The Patriots responded by adding multiple linemen, including veteran Greg Van Roten, who signed a one-year deal last week. Yet another injury problem surfaced Saturday against the Eagles when Marcus Bryant injured his ankle on New England’s opening drive.
Vrabel didn’t hide his concern with the group after the Patriots’ 24-21 win.
“I do not think we have a very deep team,” Vrabel said, via 98.5 The Sports Hub.
That makes Conley’s familiarity useful at a moment when the Patriots are trying to identify dependable depth before final cuts. He already knows the organization, in addition to his experience at four offensive line spots.
Conley will undergo a battle to make the 53-man roster.
New England is only days away from trimming the roster, and the late signing gives him limited time to make an impression.
But for a Patriots team searching for healthy bodies and versatility up front, bringing back a player it already knows is a logical move.
Conley now gets one more audition in Foxborough — and potentially a quick reunion with the team that just waived him.
New England Patriots Sign 6-Foot-7 OL as Injuries Linger: Report