Patriots Veteran Emerges As Potential Surprise Cut Candidate image
Chad Muma appeared to be closing in on a prominent role in the New England Patriots defense earlier this summer. Now, the veteran linebacker might be fighting for his roster spot.
Muma entered training camp as the apparent favorite to become New England’s third off-ball linebacker behind Robert Spillane and Christian Elliss. He regularly wore the green-dot communication helmet during spring practices and continued seeing important defensive snaps when camp began.
The competition has changed considerably following two preseason games.
A new 53-man roster projection from Pats Pulpit predicts that New England will release Muma while retaining K.J. Britt and rookies Khalil Jacobs and Namdi Obiazor. It is only a projection, but Muma’s rapid slide from presumed top backup to possible roster casualty has become one of the Patriots’ more surprising late-summer developments.
K.J. Britt Makes Move In Patriots Competition
Muma did not make much of an impact during New England’s preseason opener against the Indianapolis Colts. He also missed practice time with an apparent injury before returning during the Patriots’ joint practices with the Philadelphia Eagles.
That interruption created more opportunities for Britt.
Britt produced an encouraging performance against Indianapolis and has begun receiving additional work in the linebacker rotation. The 27-year-old also has previous experience with Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel from their time together with the Tennessee Titans. The Patriots signed Britt in March after he spent his first five NFL seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. His physical playing style could appeal to a coaching staff attempting to build a tougher defensive identity.
New England also invested draft capital in Obiazor and has continued giving Jacobs opportunities on defense and special teams. Jacobs, an undrafted rookie, has been a steady presence with the second-team defense throughout camp. Obiazor, a sixth-round pick, has moved through multiple personnel groups and offers developmental upside.
Keeping both rookies would leave little room for Muma.
Muma’s Experience Still Could Save Roster Spot
The Patriots signed Muma from the Colts’ practice squad in December 2025. The former Jacksonville Jaguars third-round pick has appeared in 55 NFL games and made seven starts. He entered this offseason with 99 career tackles and extensive experience on special teams.
That background should not be dismissed.
Vrabel values versatility, reliability and special-teams production from players near the bottom of the roster. Muma has demonstrated all three during his NFL career, and one strong performance in New England’s preseason finale could shift the competition again.
The Patriots also must decide how many linebackers they are willing to keep.
Spillane and Elliss are secure at the top of the depth chart. Britt, Muma, Jacobs and Obiazor are competing for what could be only three additional places. Carrying fewer linebackers would make every roster decision even more difficult. New England’s lack of established depth elsewhere also complicates the equation. Injuries along the offensive line and at edge rusher could force the Patriots to use extra roster spots at those positions.
MORE: Mike Vrabel Delivers Blunt Review Of Promising Patriots Rookie
Patriots Face Uneasy Decision Before Cutdown Day
Muma looked like the safest option among New England’s reserve linebackers only a few weeks ago. That no longer appears to be the case.
Britt has gained ground, while Jacobs and Obiazor offer youth, team control and potential special-teams value. Muma’s recent injury absence and quiet preseason work have left him vulnerable at precisely the wrong time. The Patriots must reduce their roster to 53 players by Aug. 30. Their final preseason game will provide Muma with one last opportunity to remind the coaching staff why he opened camp ahead of the competition.
His experience once made him the favorite.
It might now be the only thing preventing him from becoming one of New England’s biggest cutdown-day surprises.
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