Matt Corral is back with the New England Patriots, the latest chapter in a bizarre saga involving the second-year quarterback.
Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald reported Tuesday that the Patriots have signed Corral to their practice squad. That move comes a day after the team waived the quarterback. And Monday’s decision to waive Corral came less than three weeks after the Pats claimed him off waivers from the Carolina Panthers.
Corral cleared waivers, with no other NFL team wanting to take a chance on the former Ole Miss star.
Hopefully, Corral’s second chance with the Patriots goes smoother than his first stint. The quarterback left the team on Sept. 9 and didn’t report for two days. The Patriots then placed him on the exempt/left squad list. Head coach Bill Belichick refused to clarify the issue at the time, saying, “He’s on exempt status. I don’t have any comment on it. That’s a personal matter.”
Corral, who had a much-publicized battle with depression while in college, has yet to throw a pass in a regular-season game. He spent all of the 2022 season on IR.
The Patriots have obviously seen enough of Corral — and know enough about his situation — to feel he deserves another chance.
Still, fans were surprised by the latest twist in the Patriots-Corral story.
https://twitter.com/jond2546/status/1704272568029413819
Source confirms, @DougKyed report that the Patriots are signing quarterback Matt Corral back to the practice squad.
Hopefully Corral is feeling better and ready to get back to work.
Patriots practice squad has one more spot open.
— Ben Belford-Peltzman (@thepatriotsbeat) September 19, 2023
Can the patriots make their minds up….
— Vanessa aka nessa 📉 📈 ⚾️🏉🍟🏀🎤 (@nessa8132) September 20, 2023
He’s got some personal stuff going on behind the scenes.
They won’t keep him on the PS or 53 if theres uncertainty on his side.
— Dom (@DomDoesNFL) September 19, 2023
Can you explain why they would do that? Just for health benefits for him?
— Cass (@CMont57) September 19, 2023
Clown show just to sign him at a lower contract.. I do not like Bill Belichick. At all
— Joeybatz33 (@Joeybatz35) September 20, 2023
It’s to free up a roster spot for someone they like better at back up (Zappe) , especially when it seems like Corral is going through some personal issues behind the scene. It has nothing to do with contract. Get a grip.
— . (@Leaked47) September 20, 2023