By Jordan Goethe
Special to the Rock River Current
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The NFL season kicks off one week from tonight and several Rockford-area athletes have new homes or are looking to land on a new team.
Here’s a look at where local athletes stand seven days before the season begins with the Detroit Lions facing the Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday, Sept. 7.
Vederian Lowe
Former Auburn Knight Vederian Lowe was traded late Sunday night from the Minnesota Vikings to the New England Patriots. Minnesota selected Lowe with the 184th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft and in his rookie season he appeared in four games, playing a total of 33 snaps.
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New England has suffered a few injuries in training camp, which opens the door for Lowe to have a real shot at seeing some early playing time with the team.
The Patriots’ roster includes veterans Riley Reiff and Calvin Anderson who are injured. Some other younger and unproven players in Conor McDermott, Andrew Stueber and rookie Sidy Snow round out the depth chart at the offensive tackle position.
After being stuck behind one of the best offensive tackle duos in the league in Minnesota, Lowe has a good chance at climbing the depth chart in New England.
Dean Lowry
Even after the Lowe trade there’s still a Rockford tie to the Minnesota Vikings.
Former Boylan Titan Dean Lowry signed with Minnesota this past offseason as a free agent after spending seven seasons with the Green Bay Packers.
Lowry signed a two-year contract worth $8.5 million dollars, including a signing bonus of $3 million and $7.9 million of that contract fully guaranteed.
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Lowry should make a big impact on that Minnesota defensive line.
Waiting on a call
Two other local standouts were released this past weekend.
Former Boylan tight end Dan Arnold was released by the defending NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles. James Robinson, the former Lutheran Crusader, was released by the New York Giants.
Robinson suffered a torn Achilles tendon toward the end of the 2021 season, but he was able to return by opening day 2022.
He was traded to the Jets midway through last season but played in only four games, rushing for 85 yards and recording one touchdown reception.
This year would be Robinson’s first fully healthy season since suffering his injury in 2021 and dealing with a knee injury in 2022. In three seasons, he has amassed 2,262 yards rushing and 18 touchdowns on 514 carries.
This article is by correspondent Jordan Goethe. Email feedback to news@rockrivercurrent.com.