Which ex-Patriots are playing in Super Bowl LIX?Â
Former Patriots like JuJu Smith-Schuster, Joe Thuney, and Josh Uche will look to win a title on Feb. 9.
While most Patriots fans will likely be rooting against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs as they try to secure the first three-peat in NFL history, there are several players on Kansas City’s roster who have previous ties to New England.
Along with a few practice-squad regulars like Anthony Firkser (Chiefs), Ochaun Mathis (Eagles), and Ian Book (Eagles), here are some other former Patriots that New England fans should keep tabs on during Super Bowl LIX on Feb. 9.
WR JuJu Smith-Schuster
A brutal whiff for New England in free agency, Smith-Schuster is back in Kansas City for the second time in his career after the Patriots released him in August 2024 following just one season in Foxborough.
When New England chose Smith-Schuster over reliable wideout Jakobi Meyers — handing him a three-year, $33 million contract in free agency — Smith-Schuster was coming off of an impressive season with Kansas City in 2022.
Along with reeling in 78 catches for 933 yards and three touchdowns during the regular season, Smith-Schuster helped Kansas City beat the Eagles in Super Bowl LVII — catching seven balls for 53 yards while also drawing a hold in the fourth quarter that helped his team secure the win with a field goal.
But Smith-Schuster’s productive run with Mahomes didn’t translate over the Patriots in 2023, as he only snagged 29 catches for 260 yards on a miserable New England offense.
Smith-Schuster hasn’t exactly rebounded in Kansas City this season, catching 17 passes for 227 yards and two touchdowns over 13 games. But the 28-year-old receiver played a key role in the Chiefs’ win over the Bills in the AFC Championship Game on Sunday — recording two catches for 60 total yards.
EDGE Joshua Uche
Another Chiefs player who opened the 2024 season in Foxborough, Uche was a solid pass-rushing regular on New England’s defense before getting traded to Kansas City in late October for a 2026 sixth-round pick.
Despite putting together an 11.5-sack season in 2022, Uche struggled to find consistency in New England — recording 3.0 sacks in 2023 and 2.0 sacks in his first seven games with the Patriots this season before getting dealt.
While Uche would seemingly hold value as a situational pass-rusher on Steve Spagnuolo’s defense, he has been inactive in both of KC’s playoff games — and has only appeared in one game for the Chiefs since mid-November.
OL Joe Thuney
One of the key cogs up front for the Chiefs, Thuney has been a home-run signing for Kansas City after leaving New England in free agency after the 2020 season.
A two-time Super Bowl champion and All-Pro selection (2019) as Tom Brady’s left guard in New England, Thuney has played an instrumental role in protecting Mahomes after putting pen to paper on a five-year, $80 million contract.
Since arriving in Kansas City, Thuney has won two more Super Bowls and earned three additional All-Pro honors over three seasons. His switch from left guard to left tackle late this season has helped stabilize a revolving door at that spot on the O-line.
New England sure could have used a game-changing lineman like him over the last few seasons.
WR Tyquan Thornton
Another brutal second-round whiff by the Patriots in the 2022 NFL Draft, Thornton recorded just 39 catches for 385 yards and two touchdowns across three seasons (28 games) before being waived by New England in November 2024.
Despite some fears that a speedster like Thornton would be a revelation in Kansas City, he has yet to appear in a game with the Chiefs since joining the practice squad.
DT Mike Pennel
Pennel had a short stint in New England, with the Patriots cutting him during 2019 training camp after the nose tackle signed a two-year deal with the team in March.
Despite his limited time with the Patriots, Pennel has carved out a solid career with the Chiefs, winning two Super Bowls with KC over the last two seasons. The 33-year-old veteran has put together a strong 2024 season — recording 3.0 sacks over 17 games.
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