AP

One of the first items of business for teams when their seasons end is to sign guys to future contracts for the following year, usually their practice squaders.

The Patriots did a bit of that business as well, but threw in a quarterback who might still have some potential as a backup.

They signed former Eagles fourth-rounder Mike Kafka, who was lost in the shuffle when the Eagles drafted Nick Foles. Kafka played in four games as a rookie, but was released by the Eagles before the start of the regular season and didn’t sign with anyone this year.

Kafka had a workout with the Steelers last season when they were running out of bodies, but was never signed.

The Patriots also signed former Browns defensive end Marcus Benard, along with five of their practice squaders, running back James Develin, wide receivers Jeremy Ebert and Andre Holmes, defensive lineman Tracy Robertson and linebacker Jeff Tarpinian.