The New England Patriots are not placing the restricted free-agent tender on CB Alex Austin, according to Jordan Schultz.
Austin is a core special-teamer and could provide depth on the perimeter of a team’s defense.
Austin, 24, was a three-year starter at Oregon State and was twice named honorable mention All-PAC 12. The Buffalo Bills selected him in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
He was in the first year of a four-year, $3.917 million rookie contract when the Bills waived him coming out of the preseason. He was claimed by the Texans before later being waived again and joining the practice squad. From there, New England signed him to a contract in November of 2023.
In 2025, Austin appeared in three games for the Texans and five games for the Patriots, recording nine tackles, one interception, and two pass defenses.
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