Overview
- NFL insider Jordan Schultz first reported Wednesday night that New England will not issue Austin a restricted free-agent tender, setting him up to reach unrestricted free agency when the new league year opens March 11 at 4 p.m. ET after the legal tampering window starts March 9.
- Austin acknowledged the move with a farewell on X, writing, "Forever love in New England! God’s Plan."
- In 2025 he played 11.2% of defensive snaps with none after Week 5, spent time on injured reserve with a wrist injury, and worked exclusively on special teams down the stretch.
- He finished the 2025 regular season with 13 combined tackles and one pass defense.
- A seventh-round pick by the Bills in 2023, Austin had a brief stint with the Texans before joining the Patriots in November 2023.