Patriots Sign Former CFL Offensive Lineman Drew Desjarlais to Futures Contract
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The New England Patriots officially signed former CFL offensive lineman Drew Desjarlais to a futures contract on Thursday, as confirmed by the NFL transaction wire.
After working out for the team during the first week of January, Desjarlais visited the organization again on Wednesday. The 24-year-old was released by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Tuesday. TSN’s Farhan Lalji the reported that Desjarlais was expected to sign a futures pact with New England.
Listed at 6-foot-2, 314 pounds, Desjarlais is a sizable lineman. He attended the University of Windsor in Ontario, Canada. He earned invitations to rookie minicamps with the New York Giants and Pittsburgh Steelers in 2019. However, he opted for the Canadian Football League (CFL) after being selected fourth overall by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the first round of the 2019 CFL Draft.
As a native of Belle River, Ontario, Desjarlais enjoyed his homecoming, winning consecutive Grey Cups during his tenure with the Blue Bombers. He was named a CFL Western All-Star during his second season. Desjarlais appeared in 32 career games for the Blue Bombers. In 2021, he started all 14 games at left guard, as Winnipeg’s line allowed the fewest sacks in the league.
Desjarlais is now the third offensive lineman to sign a futures contract with New England, along with Will Sherman and Arlington Hambright.
Running back Devine Ozigbo, wide receivers Malcolm Perry, Tre Nixon and Kristian Wilkerson, defensive tackle Daniel Ekuale and kicker Quinn Nordin have also reached agreements with the Patriots on such deals.
