Patriots work out a local quarterback while looking to replace Will Grier.

Extra depth at one of their weakest positions would be helpful for the Patriots.

In New England, the quarterback carousel keeps turning.

One of the five free agents the Patriots hosted for workouts on Monday was a quarterback, following their waiver of Will Grier on Saturday. According to the NFL transaction wire, former Purdue signal-caller Austin Burton was in Foxboro on Monday along with tight end Michael Ezeike from UCLA, defensive back Cameron McCutcheon from Western Carolina, tight end La’Michael Pettway from Iowa State, and tight end Christian Sims from Bowling Green.

Burton has a long history in the area; he is the grandson of Ron Burton, the 1960 first-ever draft pick of the Boston Patriots, and the son of Steve Burton, the sports director of WBZ-TV. Growing up in Newton, Massachusetts, Austin Burton excelled at Newton South High School from 2013 to 2015 before moving for his final year to West Orange High School in Winter Garden, Florida.

Before moving to Purdue in 2020, Burton played for three seasons at UCLA. During his six years in college, he made 19 appearances and threw for 682 yards, four touchdowns, and two interceptions.

After releasing Grier, who cleared waivers on Monday and is anticipated to look for other opportunities rather than re-sign with New England’s practice squad, Chris Mason of MassLive notes that the Patriots may need another quarterback.

The only quarterbacks on the team’s active roster are Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe. Malik Cunningham, the only quarterback in the practice squad, has only played six NFL snaps in addition to time spent at wide receiver.

This season, the Patriots have gone through a number of mediocre quarterbacks, including Ian Book, Matt Corral, Grier, and Trace McSorley. Adding a free agent would provide them the depth they need, but given the performance in 2023, it is obvious that they will need to completely restructure the position in 2024.