Pats Pulpit
Before even welcoming the full team to Gillette Stadium this spring, the New England Patriots already suffered their first loss of the season. Tight end Julian Hill hurt his knee during organized team activities and subsequently had to be placed on injured reserve, sidelining him for the year.
Hill had joined the Patriots as a free agent back in March, with the team intending to use him as a blocking tight end alongside starter Hunter Henry. However, that role will have to be filled differently now.
How exactly remains to be seen. For tight ends coach Thomas Brown, it all comes down to one thing.
“Competition,” he told reporters earlier this week.
“I sometimes hate the phrase ‘Next man up.’ Every man is not the same, they’re all different. But they’re all here for a reason. So, having an opportunity to compete, earn a role, and be consistent with themselves.”
Besides Hill and the aforementioned Hunter Henry, the Patriots have four other tight ends available. Third-year man Jack Westover, who served primarily as a fullback in 2025, took over most of Hill’s responsibilities during the lone open OTA practice since the injury.
In addition, third-round rookie Eli Raridon, sophomore C.J. Dippre, and undrafted free agent Tanner Arkin round out the depth chart at the position. With Raridon a lock to make the roster due to his draft status, one of the other three tight ends will have to step up to help replace what Hill would have brought to the table.
Of course, Hill’s value did not just lie in his blocking prowess. He also was a veteran leader in what is a young room behind Hunter Henry, a role head coach Mike Vrabel — who referred to the injury as “devastating” and “awful” — likes to see him continue to play in some capacity.
“Really enjoy the person, and want to have him around here as much as we possibly can,” Vrabel said. “That’s just disappointing because of the impact that he made in a short amount of time with his teammates, and just the person that he is, the way that he practiced. We want Julian to be a part of us as much as possible. He’s just not going to do that on the field this year.”
Hill originally arrived in the NFL as a rookie free agent with the Dolphins in 2023. After three seasons in Miami, in which he played 46 combined regular season and playoff games, he took his talents to New England on a three-year, $15 million deal.
However, he will spend the first of those seasons unable to help his new team. For his position coach, the loss is obvious and one impacting the entire room.
“The mentality that he brought to the table was awesome for us, just from a veteran leadership standpoint,” Brown said. “Physical presence, you could feel the energy when he walked into a room. Practiced the right way, worked his butt off. Super smart dude. So, a...
