Patriots Player Departure Marte Mapu Released [UPDATE: Traded to HOU - Mapu+7th for 6th]

Real fan 02 · Apr 7, 2026

Raccoonsuit said:
Is there some secret stash of linebackers that we don't know about? Mapu wasn't good here but who's replacing him?

I felt for sure earlier last season with Marty playing alot more and was making plays would have carved out a role under Vrabel.. it's unfortunate because he's a hybrid and felt he could have been useful still.. injuries and inconsistent play is what impacted his position here.

Real fan 02 · Apr 7, 2026

Love The Drake said:
Joe Juan Mapu,
Or Joejuan Richard’s is released.

2019 was the year of the Busts

nkeal and Joeuan 1st and 2nd round pick bust.. a team really has to work hard to **** that up!

rkarp1 · Apr 7, 2026

Real fan 02 said:
I felt for sure earlier last season with Marty playing alot more and was making plays would have carved out a role under Vrabel.. it's unfortunate because he's a hybrid and felt he could have been useful still.. injuries and inconsistent play is what impacted his position here.

Mapu is 6'3" and 230 lbs, and played S in college.
he runs sideline to sideline and tackles well
he plays ST
he plays a position that the team lacks any depth at all at this early stage before the season. certainly time to fill in.
but 90 players come to camp. seemingly Mapu would have been part of that 90, given where the roster is today

Real fan 02 · Apr 7, 2026

rkarp1 said:
Mapu is 6'3" and 230 lbs, and played S in college.
he runs sideline to sideline and tackles well
he plays ST
he plays a position that the team lacks any depth at all at this early stage before the season. certainly time to fill in.
but 90 players come to camp. seemingly Mapu would have been part of that 90, given where the roster is today

Agreed. It's odd. Maybe he could have asked for a realase? Just guessing. But yeah he's got the size, speed and ability. Injuries and inconsistencies are what impacted his time here in NE.

If he isn't picked up somewhere perhaps he could be back?

Family · Apr 7, 2026

rkarp1 said:
does Schooler look out of place at S?

is Mapu the special teams player Schooler is?

JoeSixPat · Apr 7, 2026

Demoted to 3rd string and special teams last season - and they know they'll be filling his ST role with a rookie likely so they did the guy a favor and cut him to give him a chance elsewhere

PATSYLICIOUS · Apr 7, 2026

I felt like tavai did well for us in bb’s defense, mapu may or may not have. Suprised they both lasted 2025, maybe there were just too many other holes to fill and we are planning to draft a couple lb’s this year.

Rob0729 · Apr 7, 2026

Why are they doing it now? They have plenty of money. This is the dead period before the draft. They have like 18 spots available on their offseason 90 man roster.

I mean even if they were going to make a big trade this week, I don't think they need to cut Mapu now.

I mean they should have cut him before free agency or keep him around as a camp body.

PatsFan2 · Apr 7, 2026

BennyBledsoe said:
Was anybody a fan of this pick?

BB's minions I wanted TE Tucker Kraft: what a terrible Reach; that was justified by his minions.

Wozzy · Apr 7, 2026

Rob0729 said:
Why are they doing it now? They have plenty of money. This is the dead period before the draft. They have like 18 spots available on their offseason 90 man roster.

I mean even if they were going to make a big trade this week, I don't think they need to cut Mapu now.

I mean they should have cut him before free agency or keep him around as a camp body.

He’s entering the final year of his rookie deal, they probably tried to re-sign him at a pittance so he and his agent likely asked for his release.

No doubt he wants a chance to earn a larger role and more money, he wasn’t going to get it here. Spillane and Ellis were paid and entrenched as starters.

If he can find a team who needs a weakside LB he could put together a good season and earn a larger deal… similar situation as Cole Strange.

Nunchucks · Apr 7, 2026

The guy just couldn't figure out how to play nfl football

borisman · Apr 7, 2026

So who is the personal protector for the punter now, Britt?

rkarp1 · Apr 7, 2026

JoeSixPat said:
Demoted to 3rd string and special teams last season - and they know they'll be filling his ST role with a rookie likely so they did the guy a favor and cut him to give him a chance elsewhere

how is s a player that played 58% of ST snaps demoted? imo he was a regular weekly contributor on 2-3 ST groups.

Real fan 02 · Apr 7, 2026

Wozzy said:
He’s entering the final year of his rookie deal, they probably tried to re-sign him at a pittance so he and his agent likely asked for his release.

No doubt he wants a chance to earn a larger role and more money, he wasn’t going to get it here. Spillane and Ellis were paid and entrenched as starters.

If he can find a team who needs a weakside LB he could put together a good season and earn a larger deal… similar situation as Cole Strange.

Plus being hurt didn't do him any favors.. I liked his versatility and projections as a rookie he showed flashes here and there.

As you mentioned likely he asked for his release.

rkarp1 · Apr 7, 2026

Real fan 02 said:
Plus being hurt didn't do him any favors.. I liked his versatility and projections as a rookie he showed flashes here and there.

As you mentioned likely he asked for his release.

why would he ask for his release from a team lacking any depth at his position, at a point in time when many teams have allocated their free agency dollars?

Dec54 · Apr 7, 2026

Joey007 said:
I convinced myself at the time.

He was a fascinating player. But just not a fit at all in this system.

Shame. I liked him

Real fan 02 · Apr 7, 2026

rkarp1 said:
why would he ask for his release from a team lacking any depth at his position, at a point in time when many teams have allocated their free agency dollars?

Stranger things have happened. You can also ask why would Vrabel just out right release him based on what you just mentioned? Is why I'm inclined to believe it was something requested.

Hugepatsfan · Apr 7, 2026

Weird trend continues of releasing players who were cheap and fit into roles on the team, even if only marginal ones. It feels like they are making the type of cuts you make to get down to a final 53 man roster while we’re still in the 90 man offseason roster stage of team building. Ultimately inconsequential if you assume these guys would get cut anyway, just kind of odd.

203Pat · Apr 7, 2026

Seemed to be one of Bill's white whale guys. Don Davis, Tank Williams, Adrian Phillips, Dugger, etc. Bill seemed to love that hybrid LB/safety role. Turns out Mapu couldn't play either.

Wozzy · Apr 7, 2026

rkarp1 said:
why would he ask for his release from a team lacking any depth at his position, at a point in time when many teams have allocated their free agency dollars?

I just gave you the reasons above.

They have three players ahead of him in Spillane, Ellis and now Muma who they presumably like.

He’s looking for opportunity to play more defense and earn more money.

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Patriots Player Departure Marte Mapu Released [UPDATE: Traded to HOU - Mapu+7th for 6th]

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