Breaking News: Patriots O-Lineman Makes A Worrisome Comments Amid his Future in the Team…

Chukwuma Okorafor doesn’t anticipate an easy adjustment.

Chukwuma Okorafor joined the New England Patriots this offseason, drawn by the opportunity to compete for a position.

However, Okorafor was never explicitly told he would play left tackle.

“I didn’t really know for sure,” Okorafor mentioned at Gillette Stadium on Monday. “I was never guaranteed a job at either left or right tackle, but I knew I had a chance to compete for one. That was the main thing for me.”

When Okorafor signed with the Patriots, he understood he’d be fighting for a position, but he wasn’t certain about playing left tackle. He believes transitioning to left tackle will take time but is confident in his abilities.

After six seasons with Pittsburgh, Okorafor signed a one-year deal with New England before the Patriots re-signed right tackle Mike Onwenu and drafted offensive tackle Caedan Wallace and guard Layden Robinson.

Throughout his time in Pittsburgh, Okorafor played right tackle and didn’t practice for left tackle. His last experience at left tackle was in college at Western Michigan before being drafted in the third round in 2018.

With footwork and hand placement posing significant challenges, Okorafor doesn’t expect a smooth transition.

“I think it takes time,” Okorafor said. “I’m learning to play left tackle, a new playbook, and adjusting to a new city. It’s all new to me now.”

Patriots executive vice president of player personnel, Eliot Wolf, and first-year head coach Jerod Mayo expressed confidence in Okorafor’s ability to transition. Okorafor, though reserved, shared their confidence.

“If I knew I couldn’t do it, I wouldn’t have chosen to do it,” Okorafor stated. “It’s going to take time, but I know who I am and what I can and can’t do.”

Chukwuma Okorofor said he wasn’t outright told he would play left tackle when he signed with the Patriots. Instead, he knew he could fight for a job and that’s what drove him to sign.

Okorofor said he thinks the transition to LT will take time, but is confident in his ability. pic.twitter.com/cnWjS3BcIn

— Sean T. McGuire (@BySeanMcGuire) May 20, 2024

Despite his confidence, Okorafor’s cautious outlook contrasts with Wallace, who believes moving from right tackle at Penn State to left tackle for the Patriots won’t be overly challenging.

Okorafor was the starting left tackle on the first day of OTAs on Monday, with Vederian Lowe and Wallace behind him. However, his comments might not reassure Patriots fans about one of the team’s biggest uncertainties.