Patriots cornerback Alex Austin announced his return to New England via social media Thursday.
Austin, who had been an exclusive rights free agent, posted on X/Twitter: “It’s official.. I’m back for another one!! Can’t wait to turn up with y’all this season… Let’s run it! #ForeverNE”
The 6-foot-1 corner was the last Patriots defender to record an interception last season, picking off a deep Josh Allen pass during a 27-21 loss at Buffalo on Dec. 31. Austin joined the team midseason after originally entering the league as a Bills seventh-round pick out of Oregon State. He was later cut and later spent three games with the Texans, who stashed Austin on their practice squad before the Patriots signed him away.
In New England, he appeared in five games, including one start, and totaled nine tackles, plus another pass deflection.
As an exclusive rights free agent, Austin was bound to the Patriots, so long as they tendered him. Exclusive rights free agents are players with fewer than three accrued seasons who cannot negotiate with other teams if their current team offers them a 1-year, minimum contract AKA tender.
Austin projects to be squarely on the bubble come training camp. If he makes the team, he would provide depth at outside corner, something the Patriots desperately needed last season after injuries sidelined Christian Gonzalez, Jonathan Jones and Jack Jones. The team also later lost J.C. Jackson, who received his release last week.
In New England, Austin will reunite with Gonzalez, Jonathan Jones, Shaun Wade, Isaiah Bolden, Marco Wilson and Azizi Heard on the team’s depth chart.
