Jerod Mayo Brings Clarity To Chukwuma Okorafor Leaving Patriots

Chukwuma Okorafor's status was given a bit of clarity Sunday.

The Patriots placed their former starting left tackle on the exempt/left squad list Saturday. Why? Okorafor is reconsidering whether he still wants to play football.

Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo addressed the decision in his weekly chat with Scott Zolak of 98.5 The Sports Hub on Sunday.

"I had a conversation with Chuks, and first, it had nothing to do with football," Mayo said, per Zack Cox of the Boston Herald. "I called him, and it had everything to do with the man. I wanted to make sure that he was good, in a good space and really considering and taking into consideration that this is what he wanted to do. But once again, I look at these as long-term relationships and care more about the individual than anything else."

Okorafor was already a question mark, being benched for poor play in New England's season-opening win over the Cincinnati Bengals. It now appears that he'll be stepping away indefinitely, which might just be a blessing in disguise for the Patriots.