Patriots Add Former Titans Tight End Ahead of Key Matchup
The New England Patriots, now led by head coach Mike Vrabel, have added a familiar face to their roster just before a high-stakes game. In preparation for a Week 7 showdown against the Tennessee Titans — Vrabel’s former team — the Patriots have signed former Titans tight end Thomas Odukoya to their practice squad.
Odukoya, 28, originally joined the Titans as an undrafted free agent out of Eastern Michigan after the 2022 NFL Draft. He was waived after rookie camp but spent time on Tennessee’s practice squad until he was released in October 2025. He appeared in two games for the Titans during the 2024 season under Vrabel’s leadership.
This weekend’s matchup, scheduled for Sunday at 1:00 p.m. EST, will mark Vrabel’s first return to Tennessee since his departure. The Titans dismissed Vrabel in January 2024 following a six-season tenure in which he compiled a 54-45 record and led the team to three playoff appearances. His 54 wins rank third in franchise history. After his exit, Vrabel joined the Cleveland Browns as a coaching and personnel consultant for the 2024 season before taking over as Patriots head coach in January 2025.
Quarterback Drake Maye says the Patriots remain focused despite the added storyline surrounding Vrabel’s return to Nashville.
“The way Coach Vrabel handles [his past with Tennessee] kind of leads into how we’ll handle it,” said Maye. “He’s focused on this team and not looking back. He’s treating it like just another week, and that’s the mindset we’ve adopted — another opponent, same goal. We just want to keep proving ourselves every week.”
The Patriots enter this game on a hot streak, winning three consecutive games against the Panthers, Bills, and Saints. Thanks to Buffalo’s recent 24-14 loss to Atlanta, New England now holds the top spot in the AFC East for the first time since late November 2021. Notably, the Patriots are the only team in 2025 to have prevented any opposing running back from reaching 50 rushing yards through six games — a first in team history.
As for Odukoya, he brings size and leadership to New England’s practice squad. The 6’6″, 253-pound tight end was a three-year captain at Eastern Michigan, recording four touchdown receptions and 22 sacks in college. He was also invited to the Hula Bowl at the end of his collegiate career.
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