The New England Patriots have released rookie offensive lineman Cole Birdow, a decision announced on Monday. Birdow, who was signed as an undrafted free agent on May 9, hails from Merrimack, where he played offensive tackle. His collegiate career began as a defensive lineman at Old Dominion before transferring to Merrimack, where he achieved greater success. Birdow participated in the recent rookie minicamp, a competitive event for first-year players transitioning to the NFL. While it would have been a heartwarming narrative for a local player to make the team, Birdow's future in football remains uncertain as he seeks new opportunities ahead of the 2025 season.