Patriots reportedly decline to tender DT Isaiah Iton ahead of free agency

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - AUGUST 16: Isaiah Iton #68 of the New England Patriots celebrates after a play during the second quarter of an NFL preseason football game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on August 16, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Isaiah Iton will be free to test the NFL's open market.

The New England Patriots have made the decision not to tender the defensive tackle ahead of the 2026 league year, as agent Jesse Foreman of Delta Sports Group told the Boston Herald's Doug Kyed on Friday.

Iton, 24, loomed as an exclusive rights free agent with fewer than three accrued seasons and an expiring deal. The 6-foot-2, 277-pounder had agreed to terms with the organization last May on the heels of participating in rookie minicamp as a sophomore tryout.

From there, Iton saw 42 defensive snaps in preseason action while notching three tackles, including one for loss. Yet after exiting with a hip issue against the Minnesota Vikings, the interior defensive lineman was waived with an injury designation in the days leading up to the August finale. He subsequently went unclaimed and reverted to injured reserve for the rest of 2025.

Entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2024, Iton spent his rookie year on the practice squad of the Tennessee Titans and was briefly retained on a futures contract. He made stops at Northern Colorado and Hutchinson Community College before appearing in 36 games between Ole Miss and Rutgers.

In addition to Iton, running back Deneric Prince and fullback Jack Westover also check in as exclusive rights free agents in Foxborough.

The new league year officially begins next Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET.