Former Penn State quarterback Trace McSorley is being released by the New England Patriots, according to NFL insider Tom Pelissero.
The #Patriots released QB Trace McSorley, per source.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 28, 2023
McSorley signed with New England this past April after less than a season in a half with the Arizona Cardinals.
McSorley appeared in six of Arizona’s 17 games last season, highlighted by his first NFL start, which took place Christmas Eve against Patriots icon Tom Brady and the Buccaneers. McSorley went 24 of 45 for 217 yards, no touchdowns and an interception in an overtime loss. He’s appeared in a total of nine games during his NFL career which began with Baltimore in 2019.
He made his NFL debut in that year’s regular-season finale, going 1-for-1 for one yard in a win over the rival Steelers. The next season, McSorley threw his first NFL touchdown—a 70-yard catch-and-run to Marquise “Hollywood” Brown— with 3:11 left in a 19-14 loss at Pittsburgh.
Two games later, McSorley came on in relief of starter Lamar Jackson in what’s now an infamous game in Cleveland. McSorley sprained his knee in that game and never played another regular-season down for Baltimore.
McSorley’s best known to Penn State fans for what he did in Happy Valley. He was the team’s starting quarterback from 2016-18, breaking multiple school records including for touchdowns and passing yards. Both of these records were surpassed by McSorley’s successor, Sean Clifford.
McSorley didn’t get a lot of action during New England’s preseason. He completed one of four passes for four yards and got sacked twice. There was a chance of him going against Clifford, now a Green Bay Packer, when the teams squared off Aug. 19 at Lambeau Field. But McSorley never got in the game.
