Ex-Steelers right tackle Okorafor, 26, to sign on

The Patriots are signing tackle Chukwuma Okorafor, a league source confirmed Thursday.

Okorafor, 26, has six years of NFL experience, all with the Steelers. Drafted in the third round (92nd overall) in 2018, Okorafor, 6 feet, 6 inches and 320 pounds, earned a meaningful role in 2020. He served as Pittsburgh’s starting right tackle for three full seasons, playing 95.5 percent of the offense’s snaps.

Okorafor kept his starting job through Week 8 last season but he was benched for rookie Broderick Jones, whom Pittsburgh drafted with the 14th overall pick in the first round. Okorafor played just 11 snaps in the final 10 weeks of the season. The Steelers released him in February.

New England’s tackle depth chart consists of Okorafor, Calvin Anderson, Vederian Lowe, Conor McDermott, Andrew Stueber, and Tyrone Wheatley Jr. The position remains an urgent need, though Okorafor will be a strong candidate to compete for a starting job.

Trent Brown, Michael Onwenu, and Riley Reiff are expected to become unrestricted free agents. De facto general manager Eliot Wolf and coach Jerod Mayo have publicly expressed their interest in keeping Onwenu long term.

Cornerback Austin to return

Cornerback Alex Austin announced he will be returning to the Patriots.

“It’s official,” Austin wrote on social media. “I’m back for another one!! Can’t wait to turn up with y’all this season… Let’s run it!”

Austin, 22, was scheduled to become an exclusive rights free agent, meaning he can not negotiate with other teams if the Patriots tender him. Because the Patriots gave him a qualifying offer — a one-year contract at the league minimum salary based on his experience level — Austin will remain in New England.

Patriots 25th in spending

The Patriots ranked 25th in cash spending in 2023, according to numbers released by the NFLPA. New England spent $189.9 million, more than only Jacksonville ($188.6 million), New Orleans ($183.2 million), Washington ($182.5 million), the LA Chargers ($167.2 million), the LA Rams ($163.5 million), Green Bay ($156.3 million), and Tampa Bay ($152.9 million).

Houston ($269.8 million), Baltimore ($261.9 million), and Philadelphia ($257.2 million) logged the highest totals in cash spending last season. The top three teams and bottom three teams all advanced to the postseason.

The Patriots ranked 22nd in 2022, second in 2021, and 31st in 2020.