The New England Patriots added extra quarterback depth Thursday.
Per ESPN’s Field Yates, the Patriots signed Trace McSorley. Yates’ colleague, Jeremy Fowler, added that the former Penn State star signed a one-year deal.
The Patriots were searching the free-agent market for “a mobile third QB.”
It’s a one-year deal for McSorley. Patriots had been looking for a mobile third QB throughout free agency. https://t.co/MefjTTJOqw
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) April 13, 2023
McSorley threw just 10 passes in his first three NFL years. However, the No. 197 overall pick made his first career start for an Arizona Cardinals team decimated by quarterback injuries late last season.
He nearly pulled off an improbable upset over another former sixth-round pick, Tom Brady, but the Tampa Bay Buccaneers preserved a 19-16 win. McSorley, who threw two interceptions when replacing the injured Colt McCoy the prior week, went 24-of-45 for 217 yards, no touchdowns, and a pick.
McSorley almost certainly won’t factor into New England’s potential quarterback controversy as anything more than a contingency plan behind Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe. He’ll join the Patriots a week after longtime reserve Brian Hoyer reunited with Josh McDaniels by signing with the Las Vegas Raiders.