Patriots waive rookie defender ahead of training camp

FOXBOROUGH, MA - JUNE 10: Travis Shaw #62 of the New England Patriots during New England Patriots Minicamp on June 10, 2026, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images Five days before their rookie class is set to report to training camp, the New England Patriots parted ways with one of its members. Travis Shaw, who joined the club as an undrafted free agent in late May, was waived on Friday.

class="wp-block-paragraph">Shaw, 22, entered the NFL after a four-year college career split between North Carolina and Texas.

class="wp-block-paragraph">In three years with the Tar Heels, he played 37 games with no starts and registered 55 tackles as well as a pair of fumble recoveries. Toward the tail end of his junior campaign, the former five-star college recruit entered the transfer portal and moved to Texas. In his lone season as a Longhorn, he added 13 games, including his first career start, and 13 tackles to his résumé.

class="wp-block-paragraph">Despite offering an intriguing physical profile at 6-foot-5 and 335 pounds, Shaw’s lack of college production forced him to go unselected in this year’s draft. He also received limited interest on the free agency market, only joining the Patriots following a successful tryout during their rookie minicamp.

class="wp-block-paragraph">Waiving Shaw creates an open spot on New England’s offseason roster ahead of training camp. Rookies and select veterans will report on Wednesday, July 22, with veterans checking into Gillette Stadium two days later.

class="wp-block-paragraph">The first practice of the summer will take place on Saturday, July 25.