Isaiah Wynn on pace to return at start of training camp

With the Patriots still sporting a gaping hole at the left tackle position, it’s encouraging news that Isaiah Wynn appears poised to return by month’s end.

No team in the NFL is ever perfect. Even the 2007 Patriots – who, you might remember, posted an unblemished 18-0 record before falling to the New York Giants in the Super Bowl – had their weaknesses.

The 2019 version of the New England Patriots is no different.

Fresh off capturing another Lombardi Trophy, the defense returns largely intact after a lights-out performance against the Los Angeles Rams last February. The offense is still captained by coordinator Josh McDaniels and ageless wonder Tom Brady; beyond them, it still features outstanding players like Julian Edelman, Sony Michel, James White, and one of the best interior offensive lines in all of football (Joe Thuney, David Andrews, and Shaq Mason).

This roster is not flawless though, at least as it’s currently constructed. The retirement of Rob Gronkowski and exodus of receivers like Chris Hogan and Cordarrelle Patterson leaves a slew of question marks and uncertainty at the Patriots pass-catching positions. More importantly, Trent Brown’s decision to become the highest-paid lineman in the league with the Raiders means New England now has a mammoth-sized vacancy along their offensive line… and at the most critical position outside of quarterback in the NFL.

The primary reason left tackles are paid so handsomely above their other counterparts along the offensive line is because they often protect the quarterback’s blindside. Especially when said quarterback is nearing his age-42 season up in Foxborough, it’s never been more important to make sure attacking edge rushers, nose tackles, linebackers, and blitzing cornerbacks aren’t granted an easy path to TB12.

That’s why it has to be encouraging for New England coaches, players, and fans to receive the news that 2018 first-round draft pick Isaiah Wynn – who missed all of last season with a torn Achilles – is finally nearing a return to the playing field.

Per The Athletic’s Jeff Howe, Wynn “is expected to be ready for training camp. He has been running at full speed, which is always an important benchmark for a player following an Achilles tear.”

This brief interim of time before the Patriots reconvene for the start of training camp at the end of July is usually a time for family vacations, rest, and summer fun. Before long, players and coaches will return to Foxborough and really begin making headway and preparations for the 2019 season, with their jobs all firmly on the line as the team begins the process of making roster cut-downs.

If he’s smart, Wynn won’t be spending this time soaking up sunshine on a beach somewhere or relaxing with friends. Not that he isn’t entitled to a summer vacation, but Wynn must surely realize that the way has never been laid more clean than it is now for him to assume a major role in this Patriots offense.

It’s not just that Trent Brown is gone. Jared Veldheer, who was brought in as veteran insurance should Wynn not be ready to go by September, is no longer with the team after abruptly deciding to retire. Left guard Joe Thuney took the majority of snaps at left tackle during the Patriots’ minicamp, but the expectation is that he is still better suited at left guard where he’s been so effective throughout his New England career.

The reports that Wynn is running at full speed is certainly encouraging. Anytime a player suffers an Achilles tear, it’s natural to wonder just where they’ll be both physically and mentally a year later.

It’s promising news, no doubt about it… and hopefully it’s also a springboard for Wynn to keep working and getting more comfortable with his body before training camp rolls around, because the all-important left tackle job is certainly his to lose at this point.