Addressing Line Depth
The New England Patriots have moved to stabilize their interior offensive line by signing veteran guard Greg Van Roten. The addition comes as the team faces significant personnel challenges during training camp, with injuries depleting the depth chart at the position. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the 36-year-old veteran was brought in following a visit to the team’s facility two weeks ago.
The Patriots’ interior line has suffered from recent setbacks, most notably the absence of reserves Ben Brown and Andrew Rupcich. Brown is currently expected to remain sidelined through the preseason, while Rupcich was placed on injured reserve before eventually being waived with an injury settlement. These losses left the team relying on converted tackle James Hudson and second-year undrafted free agent Mehki Butler to fill gaps during practice sessions.
A Veteran Presence
Van Roten enters his 13th NFL season with a reputation for durability. Since returning to the NFL in 2017 after a two-year stint with the Toronto Argonauts in the CFL, he has appeared in 144 games with 105 starts. His consistency is notable, as he has not missed a game since the 2013 season. Over the last two years, he served as the starting right guard for the New York Giants, recording 17 starts in each campaign.
In New England, Van Roten is expected to provide a veteran floor for a rotation that includes Alijah Vera-Tucker and Mike Onwenu. While he will need to quickly master the team’s playbook to secure a spot on the final roster, his experience offers a reliable fallback option as the coaching staff looks to manage the injury history of their primary starters.
Procedural Steps
To finalize the signing, the Patriots are required to make a corresponding transaction to open a spot on the 53-man roster. The team continues to evaluate its options as the preseason nears its conclusion, with the coaching staff prioritizing stability ahead of the regular season opener.