Even with the NFL offseason in full swing, the New England Patriots are keeping busy. After parting ways with linebacker Sione Takitaki on Wednesday, the team re-signed a pair of offensive linemen on Thursday: offensive tackle Demontrey Jacobs and center Ben Brown will both be back with the Patriots in 2025.
Jacobs and Brown were both headed for exclusive rights free agency. Instead, they put their signatures under one-year tenders in order to stay put rather than enter the open market in mid-March.
Let’s assess what the signings mean for the team.
First steps taken
The Patriots re-signing Jacobs and Brown means they now have 13 offensive linemen under contract for the 2025 season. While that gives them a solid basis to work with, especially considering that teams have 90 roster spots available during the offseason, the moves are just the first steps being taken by the team along its offensive line.
Fact is, after all, the line was a major issue in 2024 and investments beyond low-level re-signings will be necessary. What those will look like remains to be seen, but anything other than New England targeting both the outside and the inside in free agency and/or the draft would be a shocker — even with Jacobs and Brown remaining in the fold.
Increased competition
Jacobs and Brown returning at the very least means that two more players — both of whom offering starting experience — will be part of the Patriots’ offensive line mix heading into 2025. While the two are probably best suited to serve as developmental backup options at this point in their respective careers, having them around in case of emergency is not the worst thing considering the current alternatives.