FOXBOROUGH – The Patriots knew the top priority entering the 2025 offseason:
They needed to fix the offensive line and needed to better protect quarterback Drake Maye.
In 2024, the pass protection was so bad that the Patriots gave up the sixth-most sacks in team history. In New England, sack totals rose over the last three years: 41 (2022), 48 (2023), and 52 (2024).
Out of those lines, the only player projected to start on Sunday is right guard Michael Onwenu. He’ll be joined by veteran right tackle Morgan Moses, veteran center Garrett Bradbury, rookie left guard Jared Wilson, and rookie left tackle Will Campbell.
Last year’s lone remaining starter, Onwenu said he’s looking forward to seeing how this group responds in the team’s Week 1 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders.
“We’ve had a good time over the summer and spring,” Onwenu said. “We’ve built those playing habits from playing next to each other. I think that’ll be good. It’s a good test this week. Raiders have a good defense. It’ll be good to play against another team and really get to test our skills.”
These five offensive linemen will be what’s standing between Maye and Maxx Crosby. The Raiders pass rusher has earned Pro Bowl honors in each of the last four seasons. He finished with 7.5 sacks in 12 games in 2024.
When it comes to stopping Crosby, the Patriots will rely on Campbell and Moses.
“He’s a great player,” Campbell said. “They’ve got a great team. There’s a bunch of good players on the defense. We just have to go out there and handle our business.”
Last season, the Patriots started Demontrey Jacobs at right tackle and Vederian Lowe at left tackle. That happened when the team’s top left tackle option, Chuks Okorafor, left the team, and the Patriots opted to move Onwenu from right tackle to right guard.
The performance from Jacobs and Lowe left much to be desired, which is why a top Patriots priority this offseason was adding tackles. That led to them drafting Campbell with the fourth overall pick and signing Moses to a 3-year, $24 million contract.
With an offensive line, continuity always helps. Entering his 12th season, Moses said that while the Patriots’ offensive linemen might not have experience playing with each other, learning together has helped them gel as a unit.
“I think the fun thing about it is we’re all coming into a new offense, except for Michael, who’s been in this offense before,” Moses said. “… All together, it’s been a great group. Garrett’s come in and taken that center role head-on. Just making sure everyone is on the same page. When you come into a new situation, like a lot of us had this offseason, and you’re all learning at one time, you can relate to one another… That makes the room better.”
The Patriots will also rely on two rookies, Campbell and Wilson, to help fortify their pass protection.
Drafted in the third round, Wilson started this offseason as a center before moving to left guard. He successfully beat out veteran competition (Cole Strange, Caedan Wallace, Tyrese Robinson, and Layden Robinson) for the job.
Wilson said he feels ready for the upcoming challenge.
“Very well prepared. Especially coming in and going to center and then being asked to move to guard,” Wilson said. “It makes you learn more, prepare better. It makes your eyes open to see the whole picture, so it’s great.”
The Patriots hope Campbell and Wilson are part of the solution. After years of offensive line uncertainty and shaky pass protection, a lot is riding on this group.
In the end, the Patriots’ only returning starter from last year’s line is looking forward to better days for his unit.
“I’m very much excited to be part of the solution,” Onwenu said.
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