The NFL Teams New England Patriots welcome back a former Birmingham Stallions cornerback.

Tae Hayes, a cornerback who had been released in February, rejoined the New England Patriots on Tuesday after the NFL franchise revealed his contract.

Hayes played for two teams in 2022, just like he had in every season of his NFL career. The former star athlete from Decatur High School took part in five contests with the Carolina Panthers. He joined the Patriots’ practice squad on December 27 after being released by Carolina on December 20 and participated in New England’s last two games of the year.

With the Panthers, Hayes played 38 defensive snaps, 16 special teams plays, and 32 defensive snaps with the Patriots.

Cornerback Christian Gonzalez of Oregon was taken by New England in the first round of the NFL Draft between Hayes’ release and re-signing, while cornerback Jonathan Jones was retained by the team with a three-year, $21 million contract.

After starting a combined 22 games last season, cornerbacks Jalen Mills, Myles Bryant, Marcus Jones, and Jack Jones are still on the club.

In 2019, Appalachian State graduate Hayes was an undrafted rookie in the NFL. He participated in three regular-season games in 2019 and 2020, including one with the Minnesota Vikings, two with the Miami Dolphins, and one with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Hayes spent the final two weeks of the season on the Panthers’ practice squad in 2021 after being released by the Arizona Cardinals at the conclusion of the preseason. He did not play during that time.

Hayes assisted the Birmingham Stallions in capturing the USFL title before joining the Panthers in training camp in 2020.

As Birmingham amassed a 9-1 regular-season record, Hayes recorded 37 tackles and one pass was intercepted. Hayes contributed seven tackles, one interception, three pass breakups, and one forced fumble in the Stallions’ two postseason triumphs.