Pats Pulpit
Some things have changed since the New England Patriots faced the New York Jets in November. Most things, personnel-wise, have stayed the same.
Between the active rosters, practice squads and reserve lists, eight players currently in the fold have spent time with both AFC East clubs during their NFL careers.
Here’s a run through the familiar list ahead of Sunday’s 1 p.m. ET kickoff at MetLife Stadium.
Andrew Beck, fullback — Signed by the Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2019, Beck was waived at the NFL’s 53-man roster deadline following his rookie preseason. He would be claimed by the Denver Broncos from there and now stands 85 games and 24 starts into his run. The 29-year-old fullback by way of the Texas Longhorns has caught 30 passes for 252 yards and four touchdowns. Beck has also visited the end zone as a rusher. The league’s 2021 winner of the Salute to Service Award made stops with the Houston Texans and Green Back Packers before heading to East Rutherford last February.
Chukwuma Okorafor, offensive tackle — Okorafor has appeared in 13 games on special teams for the Jets in 2025. The reserve tackle stayed in the division in March after being released from his one-year Patriots contract a month ahead of the new league year. Okorafor’s brief stay in Foxborough brought 12 offensive snaps as the starting left tackle during the 2024 season opener. Subsequently replaced, the 28-year-old out of Western Michigan landed on the left squad list and reverted to the reserves as his roster exemption expired. The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Okorafor in the third round of the 2018 draft at No. 92 overall, and he started 59 games in the AFC North.
Liam Fornadel, guard — Fornadel signed with the Jets in training camp and is now in his second tour on the organization’s practice squad. The 26-year-old interior lineman joined the Patriots as a street free agent in 2024. He spent the majority of last campaign on the practice squad before being released with weeks remaining in the slate. Undrafted out of James Madison, Fornadel spent 2022 with the CFL’s Winnipeg Blue Bombers and has also been a member of the DC Defenders from the XFL and UFL, winning a championship last spring.
Ochaun Mathis, linebacker — The Jets added Mathis to the practice squad midway through December. The 26-year-old linebacker stands 14 games, five tackles, one forced fumble and one quarterback hit into his career. Chosen in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL draft at No. 189 overall, Mathis logged his rookie campaign between the active roster and injured reserve of the Los Angeles Rams. He moved on to Gillette Stadium the following August. After three standard elevations, he climbed from the practice squad to the 53 from October into November. Subsequently waived, the former transfer from TCU to Nebraska caught on with the Philadelphia Eagles and earned a Super Bowl LIX ring as part of the practice squad. Mathis spent...
