Patriots Retaining Swing Offensive Lineman
FOXBORO — The New England Patriots will be keeping offensive tackle Conor McDermott in the fold for the upcoming season.
As first reported by The Boston Globe’s Jim McBride on Saturday, McDermott and the Pats have reached agreement on a new contract for 2023.
McDermott was signed by the Patriots in November off the New York Jets practice squad. The 30-year-old started all six games he played for New England in 2022, allowing eight pressures without surrendering a sack.
Though he was drafted by New England, McDermott did not play a regular season snap for the team until his mid season acquisition. Despite sending picks 216 and 239 sent to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for 2017’s pick no. 211, McDermott was released by the Pats during final roster cut downs in September of his rookie season. Shortly thereafter, the ex-UCLA Bruin was claimed off waivers by the Buffalo Bills, with whom he spent the 2017 and 2018 seasons.
The 6-8, 310-pound lineman remained in the AFC East after being claimed off waivers by the New York Jets. McDermott appeared in 35 games and made six starts for the Jets from 2019-2021. During New York’s Week 16 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2021, McDermott recorded the first touchdown of his career, catching a pass as an eligible tight end from then-rookie quarterback Zach Wilson. He was released by the Jets on Oct. 17, 2022, but quickly re-signed to the practice squad.
McDermott’s ability to align as a jumbo tight end may be of particular interest to New England. He began his football journey as a tight end, playing the position throughout high school. He was converted to offensive tackle upon his arrival at UCLA. In fact, McDermott shared this piece of his football past with New England reporters following his draft selection in April 2017.
“I was a tight end my whole life, and it helped me when I got to UCLA,” McDermott said. “They threw me right into the fire and moved me to tackle. Then, I did some tackle-tight end formations on goal-line and short-yard (situations) my first two years. And then I was a full-time left tackle starter.
McDermott started all 12 games at left tackle in 2016 for UCLA, earning second-team All-Pac 12 honors as a junior and as a senior. He also served as the Bruins’ backup long snapper.
Perhaps most intriguing is that McDermott’s offensive line coach at UCLA was Adrian Klemm — recently hired by the Patriots to serve in the same capacity. His familiarity with Klemm may have played a role in his decision to return to New England before testing the free agent waters.
Once his signing is made official, McDermott will join fellow linemen David Andrews, Michael Onwenu, Cole Strange Trent Brown, Kody Russey, Chasen Hines, Andrew Stueber and Hayden Howerton under contract for 2023.
Isaiah Wynn, James Ferentz, Marcus Cannon are headed for unrestricted free agency, while swing tackle Yodny Cajuste is set to become a restricted free agent.
Follow Mike D’Abate on Twitter @mdabateNFL and Listen/Subscribe to his daily podcast: Locked On Patriots
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