New England Patriots - NESN.com
New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel is in no hurry to declare a starting left guard.
A refurbished offensive line will protect Drake Maye in his second season. The Patriots signed two new starters in center Garrett Bradbury and right tackle Morgan Moses, and they hoped to snag a long-term linchpin when drafting left tackle Will Campbell with the No. 4 pick.
Michael Onwenu could return as the unit’s lone incumbent starter, but left guard has remained an open competition throughout training camp. Vrabel wasn’t ready to name a winner on Monday, per ESPN’s Mike Reiss.
“We’re not making anything official,” Vrabel said. “It will be the five guys out there with the first group today. But as far as having a parade or anything about it, we’re just not going to do that right now.”
One thing’s for sure: It’s not Layden Robinson. The Patriots waived the 2024 fourth-round pick, who made 11 starts last season.
Michael Jordan also started 11 games last season and played the second-most snaps at guard behind Onwenu, but he signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last month.
New England could deploy two rookies on Maye’s blindside by starting Jared Wilson alongside Campbell. Yet the third-round pick appeared to lose some ground to the returning Ben Brown as the preseason progressed.
Formerly an unconventional first-round choice under Bill Belichick, Cole Strange may have to focus more on making the 53-man roster than earning starting reps.
If Vrabel has no interest in any public proclamations, fans may have to wait to see who starts at left guard when the Patriots begin the 2025 season against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, Sept. 7.
