The Pittsburgh Steelers got the chance to start the organization's 2023 first-round pick during his rookie season after a surprising mid-year benching. Right tackle Chukwuma Okorafor was benched following the loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, which then forced the coaching staff to play Broderick Jones out of position at right tackle. The reasoning for his benching was due to questionable comments he made during the game, and his release came quickly after the season ended.
Okorafor was released by Pittsburgh, and he then signed with the New England Patriots. He earned the starting right tackle job in his new home, but was benched early on in New England's Week 1 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. News broke on Saturday that he was placed on the exempt list, with the reasoning being that he left the team, which was announced by the Patriots.
The veteran lineman made comments following his benching in Pittsburgh about having regret for signing back with the organization, and when he was benched in New England he probably felt the same regret. It is not seen often in the NFL, but he essentially quit on the Patriots.
No other news has come out regarding Okorafor's departure from the team, but it seems as though he is done playing professional football for the time being. A lot has changed for the tackle, as he signed a three-year extension in Pittsburgh ahead of the 2022 season.
