A strength heading into 2022 has quickly shot to the top of the list of question marks this offseason.
The Patriots need to rebuild their offensive line following the departure of two starters: Ted Karras to the Bengals and the trade of Shaq Mason to the Buccaneers. Starting right tackle Trent Brown is also a free agent.
But hitting the panic button this early on for a position group the Patriots have largely excelled at for the last two decades would be premature.
While Brown is scheduled to meet with the Seahawks Thursday, the Patriots remain in the mix.
There’s also the rumor the team are reportedly frontrunners for Cowboys tackle La’el Collins, who the team is reportedly “sour” on and could trade this offseason. Yes, that’s a lot of “reportedly,” but when you consider Brown is still a realistic option and the team is kicking the tires on a 28-year-old starting tackle, it’s wise to keep calm.
The draft is also on the horizon, where the Patriots have repeatedly found starters even on day three. They found Shaq Mason in the fourth round in 2015, and that’s after they took Tre’ Jackson 20 picks earlier. This year’s class is loaded with talent all over the offensive line and history suggests the team will go right back to the well to find their next crop of linemen to develop.
Would anyone be opposed to an offensive line combination of Isaiah Wynn, Zion Johnson, David Andrews, Michael Onwenu and Trent Brown/La’el Collins?
It’s easy to panic now, two days after the team said goodbye to two starters. Yes, offensive line is the most important position group behind quarterback. If you don’t protect the quarterback, you have no shot. Absolutely no one wants for Mac Jones what Joe Burrow has gone through during his first two seasons. But it’s March and there’s a long way to go.