Patriots place safety Patrick Chung on retired list, add tight end David Wells to 90-man roster

A 90-man roster spot officially opened for the New England Patriots on Friday.

According to the NFL transaction wire, the retirement of safety Patrick Chung has been processed.

Chung, 33, made the announcement in March. A member of the latest Patriots All-Decade team, the Oregon product appeared in 163 games, including playoffs, for the organization dating back to his arrival in the second round of the 2009 draft. In between the pair of tenures with New England were 364 days spent with the Philadelphia Eagles.

The post-June 1 move now adds $891,765 in cap space for the Patriots, as detailed by Miguel Benzan of PatsCap, with Chung’s salary replaced on the Top 51 list.

Per Benzan, New England now stands with north of $13.112 million in cap room. Chung’s contract had tolled after the three-time Super Bowl champion opted out of last season due to Covid-19 concerns.

Filling the open spot on the roster, the Patriots signed tight end David Wells, as reported by Pro Football Focus’ Doug Kyed.

Wells, 26, spent one week on New England’s practice squad last November. The 6-foot-6, 260-pound San Diego State product has also been a member of the Dallas Cowboys and Kansas City Chiefs since going undrafted in 2018. He now joins a depth chart that includes Jonnu Smith, Hunter Henry, Devin Asiasi, Dalton Keene, Matt LaCosse, Troy Fumagalli and hybrid linebacker Rashod Berry.

The first practice of training camp in Foxborough is set for July 28.