Patriots' roster: Other options at tackle if Trent Brown isn't on the team
The early returns for the Patriots' offensive line don't look good with the absence of Trent Brown and overall inconsistency of the unit. Could the Patriots turn to another player, perhaps in free agency, to replace Brown?
As of now, I'd say there's a greater chance that Trent Brown is not on the week one roster than is. He's been virtually nonexistent thus far in the New England Patriots' offseason programs and might end up finding himself no longer on the team if things don't change.
Right now, the tackle situation appears to be Calvin Anderson on the left side with Riley Reiff or Connor McDermott on the right side. The interior should end up being fine, but once again, questions about the offensive line are here.
Could the Patriots look to the outside to see if there might be a replacement for Trent Brown?
Patriots' roster: Other options at tackle if Trent Brown isn't on the team
1. Jason Peters
Jason Peters is a whopping 41 years old and is clearly not what he once was, but he hasn't retired yet and did play 10 games last year for the Dallas Cowboys. The future Hall of Famer does have experience playing both sides of the offensive line and I bet could even play on the inside.
If Trent Brown isn't fully bought in for whatever reason, signing a stopgap option like Peters might have to be a choice the Pats make. It's not a sexy move, but Peters at least raises the floor of the unit.
2. Eric Fisher
The former first overall pick did not play a game last year even though he was signed by the Miami Dolphins. Fisher, 32, began his career with the Kansas City Chiefs. The team moved on from him after the 2020 season. Fisher latched on with the Indianapolis Colts for 2021 but wasn't that great.
Now a few years removed from his Achilles tear, he might be back to a serviceable level. The left tackle has played right tackle in his career, but is someone who the Pats could stick on the left side, or at least sign to provide some solid stability behind Calvin Anderson.
3. Jonah Williams
When the Cincinnati Bengals had signed Orlando Brown, Jr., Jonah Williams had requested a trade from the team. Now, apparently, Williams is excited to take over on the right side. Well, even though that might be true, I don't think that means the Bengals wouldn't trade him for the right price.
He's just 25 years old and is a first-round left tackle draft pick out of Alabama. He's got the pedigree and has had some success blocking on the left side for Joe Burrow. Williams did allow quite a few sacks last year, but I'd also attribute some of that to the Bengals' offensive line still being a bit shaky.
I think playing with a solid interior and efficient coaching on offense could help Williams get to a level the Patriots would be satisfied with. It might take a pretty penny to acquire Williams since it appears that his trade request is no more.