After significant additions to their roster through the 2026 NFL Draft and undrafted free agency, the New England Patriots have begun trimming their roster. Veteran running back Elijah Mitchell became the most notable departure this week.
The Patriots released Mitchell on Tuesday according to the league’s transaction wire.
Mitchell appeared in one game for the Kansas City Chiefs last season. He joined the Patriots in late December as a practice squad addition.
New England previously released the running back during the NFL playoffs. Then after the Super Bowl, the Patriots signed Mitchell to a futures contract.
As a rookie with the San Francisco 49ers in 2021, Mitchell gained 1,100 yards from scrimmage and scored six touchdowns. He registered 963 rushing yards while playing in Kyle Shanahan’s friendly running back system.
Mitchell, though, hasn’t been the same player since dealing with an MCL tear in one of his knees during 2022.
In 28 NFL games, he has posted 1,523 rushing yards and nine touchdowns. Mitchell has also caught 28 passes for 158 additional yards and another score.
Patriots Part Ways With RB Elijah Mitchell
The veteran became expendable after the Patriots added two running backs during NFL Draft weekend.
First, New England selected Boston College running back Jam Miller in the seventh round. The Patriots grabbed Miller with the No. 245 overall selection.
Then in undrafted free agency, the Patriots signed Myles Montgomery.
Behind those two additions, the team still has six running backs on its offseason roster even without Mitchell. Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson will return to be the team’s top backs in 2026.
Mitchell played just seven offensive snaps for the Chiefs last season. In 2024, he didn’t play at all because of a hamstring injury he suffered during August. That means it’s almost been three years since the veteran last had an NFL rushing attempt.
In 2023, Mitchell ran for 281 yards on 75 carries. With that total, his efficiency was significantly down from what it was before his knee injury.
As a rookie during 2021, Mitchell averaged 4.7 yards per carry. In his first 16 NFL games, he posted 4.9 yards per rush.
Since then, Mitchell has gained 3.7 yards per carry.
Other Cuts New England Has Made Since 2026 NFL Draft
Mitchell is the third release the Patriots have made this week to clear some additional roster space.
On Monday, New England cut wide receiver John Jiles and tight end Marshall Lang.
Similar to Mitchell’s situation, the Patriots added multiple receivers and tight ends during draft weekend. At wideout, New England didn’t draft a player but signed four undrafted free agents.
In the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft, New England selected Notre Dame tight end Eli Raridon. The team also signed undrafted tight end Tanner Arkin.
Neither Jiles nor Lang have ever appeared in an NFL regular season game.
It will be interesting to see if the Patriots continue to trim their roster this week. Three cuts is a significant amount this quickly after the NFL Draft, but the Patriots selected nine players and appear to have signed a big undrafted free agency class.
That doesn’t bode well for veterans on the roster such as Mitchell.
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