The New England Patriots made a roster move on Tuesday that, while not entirely unexpected given the player's injury history, still carries some intrigue for the team's running back room. According to an official announcement from the organization, the Patriots have released running back Elijah Mitchell.
Mitchell signed a futures contract with New England earlier this offseason, following a tenure with the San Francisco 49ers that was defined by flashes of brilliance punctuated by frustrating injuries. The move trims the roster as the team continues constructing its depth chart for the upcoming season, and it raises immediate questions about the state of the backfield behind presumed starter Rhamondre Stevenson.
For those who remember Mitchell's rookie season in 2021, the move might feel like a glimpse at what could have been. As a sixth-round pick out of Louisiana-Lafayette, Mitchell burst onto the NFL scene with 963 rushing yards and five touchdowns in just 11 games for the 49ers. He averaged a robust 4.7 yards per carry, showing vision, burst, and an ability to run through contact that made him look like a potential long-term starter. He finished sixth in Offensive Rookie of the Year voting and appeared to be the perfect fit for Kyle Shanahan's zone-running scheme.
But injuries derailed his trajectory almost immediately. Mitchell missed 11 games in 2022 due to knee and hamstring issues. The next season, he missed 10 more games with a knee injury. By the time 2024 rolled around, San Francisco had invested premium draft capital in Christian McCaffrey and had other young backs emerging, leaving Mitchell on the outside looking in. He appeared in just four games last season, mostly on special teams and as a backup, before hitting free agency.
The Patriots took a low-risk flier on him with a futures deal, hoping that a change of scenery and a fresh training staff could help Mitchell rediscover some of the form that made him such an exciting rookie. It's a classic New England approach: bring in a talented player whose value has dipped due to circumstance, and see if the fit unlocks something.
Unfortunately, it appears the experiment did not yield the desired result. While the team has not specified the reason for the release -- injury-related or performance-based -- the timing is notable. Roster cuts are not due for months, and futures signings typically carry minimal guarantees. This suggests that either Mitchell was not progressing as hoped in offseason workouts, or the Patriots saw enough from other backs on the roster to feel comfortable moving on without him.
There is also the possibility that a minor injury flared up, but no corresponding injury designation has been reported. Given Mitchell's track record, it's hard not to suspect that durability concerns played a role in the decision.
So, what does this mean for the Patriots' running back depth chart?
Rhamondre Stevenson remains the clear RB1. He signed a multi-year extension last season and is coming off a solid campaign in which he rushed for over 1,000 yards and proved he can handle a heavy workload. Behind him, second-year back JaMycal Hasty showed promise as a change-of-pace option and a pass-catcher out of the backfield. New England also has Kevin Harris, a physical runner who has been a roster bubble player but could see increased opportunities with Mitchell gone.
The team added a pair of undrafted free agent running backs this offseason, and the release of Mitchell suggests the coaching staff might be comfortable giving one of those rookies a real look in training camp. The running back position is one where young players can contribute quickly, and New England has historically been willing to give unheralded backs a chance to earn a role.
From a broader perspective, this move is a reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in the NFL. Mitchell was once viewed as a cornerstone of a Super Bowl-contending offense. Now, he's looking for his third team in as many seasons. If he clears waivers, he will become a free agent and could latch on with another team seeking backfield depth -- perhaps a club with a less crowded room or one that runs a scheme similar to what he succeeded in early in his career.
For the Patriots, this is a low-stakes transaction that fits into a larger pattern of roster churn. General manager Eliot Wolf and the front office have been active this offseason, adding players on short-term deals and futures contracts, churning the bottom of the roster to create competition. Not every move works out, and that is fine. The key is that the team is not married to any one player, especially one with Mitchell's injury history.
It is also worth noting that New England's offense, now under the direction of offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt, is expected to emphasize a more balanced approach. A strong running game will be critical, especially if the team is working with a developing quarterback situation. The Patriots need reliable, available backs who can stay on the field. Mitchell's inability to do that consistently likely sealed his fate.
There is no doubt that Elijah Mitchell has talent. You do not rush for nearly 1,000 yards as a rookie by accident. But availability is the most important ability in the NFL, and Mitchell has not been able to stay on the field. The Patriots are a team trying to build a culture of competitiveness and accountability, and parting ways with a player who cannot stay healthy sends a subtle message about the standard they are setting.
For Patriots fans, this move may not be a headline-grabbing blockbuster, but it is the kind of transaction that shapes a roster. Every release, every signing, every futures deal is a piece of a larger puzzle. The team is still evaluating its personnel, and there are sure to be more moves between now and the start of training camp.
As for Mitchell, the hope is that he finds a landing spot that allows him to stay healthy and show what he can do. When he is on the field, he is a dynamic runner with the ability to break big plays. Whether he can get -- and stay -- on the field remains the question that has defined his career.
For now, the Patriots move forward without him, and the competition for touches behind Rhamondre Stevenson just got a little more interesting.
