Josh Kline Released by Patriots: Latest Comments and Reaction

One day after guard Josh Kline looked to be heading to the Philadelphia Eagles in a trade, the New England Patriots released him Wednesday. 

The Patriots confirmed the release after ESPN's Adam Schefter was the first to report the move.

The Pats originally sent Kline and a draft pick to the Eagles for cornerback Eric Rowe on Tuesday, but Kline was removed from the deal, per Jim McBride of the Boston Globe.

The 26-year-old Kline was signed by the Patriots as an undrafted free agent out of Kent State in 2013, and he went on to make 18 starts in three seasons.

Kline appeared in 14 games—starting 13—for the Pats in 2015 and saw action at both left and right guard.

Jonathan Cooper and third-round rookie Joe Thuney are currently penciled in as New England's starting guards, with Shaq Mason and Ted Karras providing depth.

The Patriots offensive line has experienced several shake-ups this offseason, as the team also released former starting center Bryan Stork.

Quarterback Tom Brady was constantly under siege by the Denver Broncos' dominant pass rush in the AFC Championship Game last season, which led to the return of Dante Scarnecchia as offensive line coach and a number of personnel changes.

The performance of the offensive line—particularly in pass protection—figures to be paramount over the first four weeks of the regular season, when the inexperienced Jimmy Garoppolo will step in for the suspended Brady.

Kline's departure subtracts a veteran presence, but New England still has depth at guard and a long history of piecing together successful lines throughout head coach Bill Belichick's tenure.

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