Pats Pulpit
New England officially added three tryouts to the roster on Monday.
Additions led to a subtraction following rookie minicamp at Gillette Stadium.
The New England Patriots waived undrafted offensive tackle Cole Birdow as three signings were processed on Monday afternoon.
Birdow, 24, had agreed to terms with the organization after going unselected in the 2025 NFL draft. His contract became finalized last week heading into the three-day minicamp. The 6-foot-5, 316-pound rookie began his collegiate career as a defensive lineman at Old Dominion before transferring to Merrimack, where he converted to the offensive side of the ball. An invitation to the local pro day followed as the calendar turned to April.
A trio of tryouts now officially reside on a roster of 91 in Foxborough.
In addition to signing rookie guard Mehki Butler and sophomore defensive lineman Isaiah Iton — moves reported on Sunday — the Patriots also agreed to terms with a new member of the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program.
Defensive tackle Wilfried Pene, who was born in Tours, France, arrives with a roster exemption.
Pene, 24, appeared in 47 games at Virginia Tech before going undrafted this spring. The 6-foot-2, 283-pounder turned to football at St. Thomas More School in Oakdale, Conn., and twice earned All-New England honors while playing tight end and defensive end. He started four games as a redshirt senior for the Hokies and finished his ACC career having totaled 73 tackles, including nine for loss and five sacks. No. 61 was worn with the Patriots over the weekend.
Head coach Mike Vrabel’s staff moves forward with 17 rookie free agents in the fold.
