Pats Pulpit
Before kicking off the on-field preparation for their upcoming game agains the Tennessee Titans, the New England Patriots had a group of free agents in town. Linebacker Kana’i Mauga as well as defensive backs Isaac Gifford, Alex Johnson and Trey Taylor visited the team on a tryout basis.
None of them were ultimately involved in the Patriots’ personnel moves on Tuesday.
Mauga, 25, started his career as an undrafted free agent with the Denver Broncos in 2022, but spent most of his time in the league with the Las Vegas Raiders. Primarily appearing on special teams but also on defense and even as a part-time fullback, the USC product saw action 17 games for the Silver and Black. He spent this year’s training camp with the Los Angeles Chargers, but was let go earlier this month after a brief stint on their practice squad.
Gifford, 24, entered the NFL when the Carolina Panthers signed him as a rookie free agent earlier this year. He saw action in all three preseason games as a safety and special teamer — registering a combined 12 tackles — but was let go ahead of the roster cutdown deadline in late August.
Johnson, 24, went undrafted out of UCLA in 2024. Since then, he spent time with the New York Giants, Indianapolis Colts and most recently the Titans without seeing any in-game action outside of preseason. Mostly employed as a perimeter cornerback, he caught one interception and registered nine tackles in three exhibition contests with the Colts this year.
Taylor, 24, was selected in the seventh round of the 2024 draft by the Raiders. A safety by trade, the Air Force product saw action in nine games as a rookie and played a combined 155 snaps — all of which on special teams — without registering any action. He started 2025 on the Las Vegas practice squad but was waived again in early September.
The Patriots are headed into their Week 7 game in Tennessee with one open spot each on their active roster and practice squad.
