Rookie tight end Marshall Lang is headed from the Northwest to the Northeast. The New England Patriots announced on Tuesday afternoon that they had officially signed the former Wildcat to the practice squad.
Lang, 23, went undrafted in April after a five-year career in Evanston. He joined the Seattle Seahawks as a free agent on May 2, working to make the team throughout training camp and playing in all three preseason games. Lang hauled in two catches for 20 yards during a 23-23 tie with the Raiders and added a reception for no gain in Seattle's preseason finale.
The Seahawks released Lang as part of their final roster cuts on August 26, and he remained a free agent until signing with the Patriots on Tuesday.
Lang played in 51 games at Northwestern from 2020 to 2024. As a redshirt freshman, the Cincinnati native led the Wildcats with three touchdown grabs, then broke out for a career-high 15 catches and 192 yards in 2022. Lang remained consistent over his final two seasons in purple, tallying 11 receptions apiece.
In all, Lang brought in 48 catches for 491 yards and four touchdowns as a Northwestern Wildcat. The team took to social media on Wednesday to officially congratulate its former tight end.
At 6-foot-4 and 252 pounds, Lang's frame could be an asset in blocking for New England's struggling run game, which currently ranks 26th in the league. However, Lang has shown he can be a reliable target through the air as well, and the rookie pass-catcher will look to develop chemistry with quarterback Drake Maye as he attempts to move up the depth chart.
The Patriots currently have just two tight ends signed to their active roster, both 30 years old. Hunter Henry, who has been with the team since 2021, has 20 catches for 277 yards and three touchdowns on the season. Austin Hooper has eight grabs this year for 105 yards.
Lang would likely need to beat out fellow undrafted rookie CJ Dippre for a spot on New England's active roster. The former Alabama tight end joined the Patriots in May after going unselected in the 2025 NFL Draft and signed with the team's practice squad following the preseason.
The Patriots currently lead the AFC East division with a 4-2 record through six games.
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