Update (4:32 p.m. ET): Per NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero, the New England Patriots are not releasing Matt Corral and have placed him on the reserve/left squad list.
Buy Panthers TicketsThe #Patriots placed QB Matt Corral on the Reserve/Left Squad list.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 9, 2023
Well, if the Carolina Panthers really do want to reunite with Matt Corral, then they may have another chance.
As first reported by ESPN NFL Nation reporter Mike Reiss on Saturday morning, the New England Patriots are releasing the second-year passer. The move is being made to make room on the active roster for fellow 2022 draftee and quarterback Bailey Zappe, who will serve as the backup to starter Mac Jones.
Ironically enough, Zappe was selected by New England with one of the two picks afforded to them by Carolina’s trade-up for Corral last spring. The former went on to appear in four games, two of which were starts, while the latter missed his entire rookie campaign due to a Lisfranc fracture he sustained (in another piece of irony) against the Patriots in the preseason.
Corral, who made the initial 53-man roster for the Panthers this summer, was waived on Aug. 30—along with wideout Derek Wright and linebacker Chandler Wooten. Wright and Wooten have since made their respective ways back as practice squad members, an avenue both general manager Scott Fitterer and head coach Frank Reich were seeking for the third-round pick.
“It was a tough decision,” Fitterer said of Corral’s release. “I like Matt as a person. Any time you have a guy that you take and bring in and you’re developing and you see progress—it’s tough.”
Corral was then claimed off waivers by the Patriots the day after his release. If he clears waivers this time, he’s eligible to rejoin the Panthers as a member of their practice squad.
