The New England Patriots continue to be one of the most frequently mentioned teams in trade rumors surrounding wide receiver A.J. Brown and edge rusher Maxx Crosby.
With NFL free agency officially beginning on March 11, a trio of Patriots insiders linked the team to the same star offensive lineman on Friday -- Cleveland Browns left guard Joel Bitonio.
MassLive's Karen Guregian and Mark Daniels, as well as Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald all suggested that New England target Bitonio in separate articles.
"If the Patriots want to move (Jared) Wilson to center, they could target a veteran left guard to play next to (Will) Campbell. It’d be hard to find someone more experienced or accomplished in free agency than Bitonio," Daniels wrote. "Bitonio was on the (Browns) with (Patriots head coach) Mike Vrabel in 2024. This would be a short-term option for the Patriots. Last year, Bitonio had the sixth-best pass-block win rate in the NFL."
Callahan pointed out that Bitonio's future is currently uncertain, as the seven-time Pro Bowler could retire this offseason.
"But if he’s got more football left, the Patriots should get on the phone," Callahan said, while projecting a $4.5 million per year contract for Bitonio. "Despite his advanced age, Bitonio allowed just two sacks in 686 pass-blocking snaps last season, per PFF. He’s exceptionally durable, playing at least 15 games in 10 of his 12 seasons."
Guregian noted that the two-time First Team All-Pro would "probably like to sign with a contending team," signaling possible interest in joining the defending AFC champions.
The Browns have made the postseason just twice in Bitonio's 12 years with the team and have one playoff victory.
"He’s a multi-year captain who would easily assimilate into the Patriots culture. (If Wilson moves) to center, it makes sense to slide a reliable veteran between Wilson and Campbell," Guregian wrote. "It helps that Vrabel is familiar with Bitonio from his time as a coaching consultant in Cleveland in 2024. Vrabel did a lot of work with the Browns offensive line during his year in Cleveland."
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