James

Ferentz

Per Wilson, Ferentz is expected to coach tight ends, though his role has not yet been formally defined. The former offensive lineman entered the NFL in 2014 as an undrafted free agent with the Texans. He joined the Broncos in 2015 and spent 2018-2023 with the Patriots. Ferentz spent the last two seasons serving as an assistant offensive line coach with the Giants.

Ferentz entered the league as an undrafted free agent in 2014. He played in only 61 regular season games during his career but walks away a two-time Super Bowl champion, winning titles with both the Broncos and Patriots. He appeared in just one game with the Patriots last season.

Ferentz, a reserve offensive lineman, will make around $1.2 million. He started three games for New England in 2022 and will look to crack the team’s 53-player roster in August.

Ferentz actually started two games for the Patriots last season, but he closed out the year on the practice squad. He will try to latch onto the 53-man roster as a depth option this August.

Ferentz played 76 snaps against the Chiefs and participated in practice on Thursday. Assuming Sunday’s Broncos-Patriots game is not postponed, Ferentz is fully expected to miss Week 6.

Karras was injured in Sunday night’s loss to Houston. Monday’s MRI should confirm the diagnosis. Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Patriots believe Karras’ injury is “something he can return from.” With starting center David Andrews (blood clots) already lost to injured reserve, the Patriots could be down to third-stringer James Ferentz against the Chiefs in Week 14. It’s another blow to New England’s increasingly stagnant offense.

A second-year undrafted free agent, Ferentz is the son of Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz. The Broncos have one of the league’s thinnest offensive lines, but Ferentz is unlikely to see snaps any time soon.