Breaking News: Patriots make first external free agent signing

The New England Patriots have signed former Pittsburgh Steelers tackle Chukwuma Okorafor, per the Boston Herald's Doug Kyed.

Photo courtesy of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Okorafor was selected in the third round by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2018, he was their starting right tackle for 2020, 2021, 2022, and half of 2023 before being supplanted by their 2023 first-round pick Broderick Jones. After being released by the Steelers last week, Okorafor became one of the more experienced right tackles on the market having appeared in 77 games. Per MassLive's Mark Daniels, this signing is independent of Michael Onwenu's contract situation as the team is still actively trying to get a long-term deal done with him.