Explaining Why Patriots Cut O-Lineman Once Tipped To Protect Drake Maye's Blind Side

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The Patriots shuffled their offensive line depth chart on Monday, parting ways with a hulking figure once expected to shine while protecting Drake Maye's blindside.

New England released offensive lineman Caedan Wallace, according to insider Jordan Schultz. A 2024 third-round pick out of Penn State, Wallace played 10 games across two seasons with the Patriots. He was tipped to serve as Maye's left tackle, but wa moved to right guard after an injury-plagued first season.

Here's what we know about Wallace's departure.

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Why Patriots Cut Caedan Wallace​

New England drafted Wallace in the hopes that he would flip sides and fill the Patriots' greatest need across the line at left tackle. Wallace was traditionally deployed as a right tackle at Penn State, although his former offensive line coach believed Wallace could successfully transition to the left side.

"He hasn't taken any game reps, but he's taken many practice reps because I always make sure they're developing on both," former Nittany Lions offensive line coach Phil Trautwein told ESPN in 2024.

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"His career kind of was just different, but I would have no hesitation to put him on the left side."

Wallace wasn't able to make it stick in the big leagues, falling victim to an ankle injury that landed him on IR as a rookie and appearing in just four games as a second-year player. Wallace moved to guard in his second season but failed to make much of an impact. He entered training camp as a backup across the interior line, but saw understudy Mekhi Butler leap over him in New England's latest depth chart.

With Wallace's release, he becomes the sixth member of the Patriots' 2024 draft class to leave the roster. Only Maye and cornerback Marcellas Dial remain.

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