The New England Patriots hosted defensive end Diego Paz Gonzalez and defensive back Dontae Manning for workouts Monday, according to Pats Pulpit, citing the NFL transaction wire. The tryouts followed New England’s Week 5 game against the Las Vegas Raiders. The Patriots have one opening on their 53-man roster and one on their 17-man practice squad.
The visits are workouts, not signings. Pats Pulpit reported the players’ backgrounds and recent production as New England evaluates options for its available roster spots. The open places are in separate roster groups, leaving the team with an active-roster opening as well as a practice-squad opening.
Patriots free-agent workouts bring in an international pathway edge rusher
Pats Pulpit reported Gonzalez is 23 and part of the NFL International Player Pathway. Born in Galicia, Spain, the 6-foot-3, 223-pound edge rusher played for Germany’s Rhein Fire. His football career has included competition in Europe before this opportunity to work out for an NFL team.
According to Pats Pulpit, Gonzalez was named the American Football League Europe’s Most Improved Defensive Player of the Year in 2026. Across the regular season and postseason with Rhein Fire, he recorded 48 tackles, nine sacks and four pass breakups. He also returned one interception for a touchdown.
Those numbers give the workout a distinct international angle: Gonzalez’s route to the NFL runs through the league’s International Player Pathway and European football. The reported production includes both his work as a pass rusher and his interception return, while his nine sacks stand out among the listed totals. New England has an opening at the roster level, but the workout itself does not amount to a contract.
Dontae Manning’s NFL path has included Atlanta and Chicago
Pats Pulpit reported that Manning, 25, entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Atlanta Falcons in 2025. The 5-foot-10, 190-pound cornerback played college football at Oregon before beginning his professional career in Atlanta.
After clearing waivers following his rookie training camp, Manning signed with the Chicago Bears’ practice squad when it was formed, according to Pats Pulpit. Chicago retained him on a futures contract in January, the outlet reported, before he was released during the league’s August roster cutdown. His path has therefore included time with two NFC teams and a practice-squad opportunity.
Manning recorded 11 tackles over 121 defensive and special-teams snaps during the 2026 preseason, Pats Pulpit reported. The snap total combines his work on defense and special teams; it does not indicate that all 121 came at cornerback. His workout gives New England a chance to evaluate a defensive back with recent preseason experience, but the visit does not establish that he will join the roster.
Open roster spots follow a series of Patriots moves
The Patriots’ two openings followed several personnel moves, according to Pats Pulpit. New England activated safety Brenden Schooler from the non-football injury list and promoted cornerback Kindle Vildor. The team also placed fullback Reggie Gilliam and wide receiver Mack Hollins on injured reserve. Together, those transactions provide the roster context for the two tryouts.
Linebacker K.J. Britt and safety Elliott Davison reverted to the practice squad after serving as standard elevations for New England’s 45-17 win over the Raiders, Pats Pulpit reported. Their return to the practice squad followed their elevated status for that game. The reported personnel moves account for the roster setting in which the Patriots hosted Gonzalez and Manning, without establishing a specific reason for either player’s visit.
At the time of the workouts, New England was 3-2 under head coach Mike Vrabel and preparing for its next game against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium. Pats Pulpit reported that the AFC East matchup was scheduled for the following Sunday at 1 p.m. ET. The team’s immediate roster choices would come with one available spot on the active roster and another on the practice squad.
Those openings give the Patriots separate places to consider as they assess the two players. Gonzalez’s profile is that of an International Player Pathway edge rusher coming off production with Rhein Fire, while Manning brings NFL preseason snaps and experience with Atlanta and Chicago. New England has not announced whether either player will receive an offer or be signed.
