Patriots make first roster cuts following 2026 draft
John Jiles and Marshall Lang had been retained on futures contracts in February.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - AUGUST 16: John Jiles #83 of the New England Patriots carries the ball during the fourth quarter of the NFL Preseason 2025 game against the Minnesota Vikings at U. S. Bank Stadium on August 16, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
(Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images) | Getty Images A pair of 90-man roster spots have opened in Foxborough to clear room for the incoming rookie class. The New England Patriots officially waived wide receiver John Jiles and tight end Marshall Lang on Monday, with the latter move previously reported by the Boston Herald’s Doug Kyed . Jiles, 25, had been with the organization since fall of 2024 after originally signing with the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent by way of Fort Scott Community College, Virginia Union and West Florida.
The 6-foot-3, 220-pound wide receiver spent the majority of his rookie campaign on New England’s practice squad and returned in that capacity for all of 2025 following a preseason featuring nine catches for 98 yards. A futures contract followed. Lang, 24, was also retained by the Patriots in February.
The 6-foot-4, 254-pound tight end made two stops on the practice squad after initially visiting for a workout last September, signing in October and re-signing in December. Entering the NFL as an undrafted rookie with the Seattle Seahawks in 2025, Lang spent time on the practice squad of the eventual Super Bowl LX champions in between transactions at Gillette Stadium last season. A Northwestern product, his collegiate career brought 48 receptions for 491 yards and four touchdowns across 52 games.