One of the major questions and challenges for Mike Vrabel when he accepted the Patriots head coaching job and more was how to restructure his woeful offensive line. That unit was arguably the NFL's worst in 2024 and contributed mightily to whatever struggles precocious rookie quarterback Drake Maye suffered.
Nothing short of a complete overhaul was required, and Vrabel set about to do so quickly. He signed three veteran free agents (one has since retired) to be stop-gap solutions. Right tackle Morgan Moses and center Garrett Bradbury remain and are likely starters. He added more players later.
In the draft, he took left tackle Will Campbell with his first-round pick and another left tackle, Marcus Bryant, in the seventh round. He devoted another premium pick, a third-rounder, and selected Georgia hybrid center/guard Jared Wilson. Wilson looked to have locked down the starting left guard position, but lately, it seems that scenario has seemingly changed.
Jared Wilson's apparent demotion is attributed to two factors
Jared Wilson's demotion was reflected in his status in the Vikings game and before. He was downgraded in the final joint practice against the Vikings and the preseason game, as pointed out by Patriots Wire's Danny Jaillet, who also cited NBC Sports Phil Perry.
"Veteran offensive lineman Ben Brown worked with the top unit at last Thursday's joint practice with the Minnesota Vikings. He also started at the position in Saturday's preseason game. According to NBC Sports Boston's Phil A. Perry, the reason for Wilson's demotion was partially due to performance and also the fact that he's dealing with something physical. The team also wanted to get Brown more top reps at guard. So it's a combination of things that led to the third-round draft pick being bumped out of the starting spot."
Brown is a journeyman who filled in for injured David Andrews in several 2024 games at center. He may slot in as decent backup, but he should not way supplant a talent like Wilson long-term. Injury is the more likely reason for Wilson's demotion.
Jared Wilson had an injury issue early, and it may be a cause for concern
Jared Wilson is a top talent, as his status as a third-round pick suggests. He's also a very valuable commodity as a versatile player who played both at guard and, more recently, in 2024, at center for the Bulldogs.
Wilson's early Patriots mini-camp career was limited by an injury. He had a late start to his professional career, and the more likely scenario now is that injury may have reoccurred and consequently impacted his play. This is a starting player on the Patriots' 2025 offensive line all day long.
The pre-season is a training and testing ground for any rookie, from the highest draftee to an undrafted free agent. Starting your experience with an injury that keeps you off the field is a tough break. Regardless of whatever the reason for Vrabel's demotion to backup status, the hope is that he'll return to starting shortly if he's able. It's what's best for the team.
If Wilson is healthy, he should man the left guard position both against the Giants in the final preseason game and against the Raiders in the first regular season game on September 7. Brown may be an adequate backup, but Wilson is starting material. Vrabel has to go with his best if they are healthy, and Jared Wilson is his best option at left guard, bar none.