The New England Patriots exceeded expectations by reaching the Super Bowl in the 2025 season. Whatever eventuates on February 8, the team has performed magnificently. Much of the credit goes to solid decisions by Robert Kraft in the past two years and the performances of the NFL's best coach, Mike Vrabel, and the NFL's best quarterback and MVP candidate, Drake Maye.
One free agent signing, Morgan Moses, was also recently hailed as the team's "unsung hero" by NFL.com.
Moses was part of a major revamping (80 percent) of the Patriots' dismal 2024 starting offensive line, and a lot was expected of him by Pro Football Focus. Only Mike Onwenu remained of the starters from that 4-13 team. Vrabel added center Garrett Bradbury and Moses in free agency and drafted two top rookies, LSU's left tackle, Will Campbell, and Georgia's guard Jared Wilson.
All were upgrades and started.
While the line has given up a considerable number of sacks, 47 in the regular season and 15 more in three postseason games, they still allowed second-year MVP-level quarterback Drake Maye to take the team to the Super Bowl. No matter the outcome of Super Bowl LX, there's no denying the achievement and the offensive line's and Moses' specific contribution to a great season.
Morgan Moses was a Rock of Gibraltar at right tackle
In his 12th NFL season, Morgan Moses was brought in by Vrabel to immediately provide a veteran presence and shore up a dismal situation at right tackle. He did just that. The 34-year-old started all 17 games and all three playoff games thus far. He's delivered stability, talent, and the veteran leadership Vrabel needed to an offensive line that sported two rookies on the left side most of the year.
NFL.com's Kevin Patra has singled out Moses as the Patriots' 2025 "Unsung Hero").
"The right side of the Pats' O-line has shown none of the issues that arose around the left side -- both Moses and right guard have been solid throughout the campaign. I'll lean toward Moses here, given that the 34-year-old proved he's still stout 12 years into his career. After battling through injuries the past couple of campaigns, Moses started all 17 regular-season tilts his first year in New England.
He's opened holes in the ground game -- graded by PFF as the Pats' best run blocker this season -- and allowed two sacks in 687 pass snaps (including playoffs). Penalties are a concern, but one cannot deny what the veteran brought to a unit that was questionable entering the season."
As Patra points out, Pro Football Focus (PFF) rated him the Patriots' best run blocker. In addition, his only allowing only two sacks all season is a signature achievement on an O-line that gave up 47 in the regular season alone.
Morgan Moses was an older cog in a very effective wheel
The Patriots need an almost total overhaul of their offensive line by Vrabel in the 2025 offseason. The Head Coach and top NFL personnel evaluator knew exactly how to upgrade his O-line quickly. Two elements were Moses and Bradbury. They were two capable NFL-proven veterans who, while they may not glean many postseason awards, immediately and significantly upgraded the O-line.
Neither Bradbury nor Moses is a long-term solution at center or right tackle. Bradbury is 30 years old and may be replaced next season or in 2027 by Wilson, whose best position may be the pivot. Meanwhile, Moses is 34 and on a three-year contract. He may very well wrap up his long NFL career after 2026, when he can be released with only $1.4M dead cap hit, as reported by Spottrac.
Whatever his future situation will be, Moses has certainly justified Vrabel's confidence in him both as a player, now recognized by NFL.com, and as a leader and mentor to the young O-linemen, especially left tackle Will Campbell. A Super Bowl win and then a ring would certainly be a great way to cap off a solid NFL career for Moses. Hopefully, he'll achieve both.