The New England Patriots have started trimming their roster after a busy 2026 offseason, with veteran running back Elijah Mitchell this week marking the most notable departure. Mitchell was released Tuesday, following a stint that included a late-season practice squad addition, a playoff release, and a post-Super Bowl futures contract.
Mitchell’s NFL impact includes a strong rookie year (1,100 total yards and six touchdowns with the 49ers in 2021), driven by San Francisco’s run-friendly system. His production has declined since then, notably after an MCL injury in 2022, and he’s appeared in 28 NFL games for 1,523 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns, plus 28 receptions for 158 yards and another score.
Key takeaways:
– Elijah Mitchell was released by the Patriots after joining late in the season and signing a futures contract post-Super Bowl.
– He has a 1,100-yard rookie season with the 49ers and has accumulated 1,523 rushing yards in 28 NFL games to date.
– Injury history (MCL tear in 2022) has impacted his production and availability in recent seasons.
