Jacoby Brissett As the 2024 NFL regular season looms just a week away, the New England Patriots find themselves grappling with a significant concern: their offensive line. With the team having recently named veteran Jacoby Brissett as the starting quarterback, the effectiveness of their protection remains a critical issue, particularly given that rookie Drake Maye might also see playing time. Regardless of who is under center, the Patriots’ offensive line struggles are likely to be a major hurdle.
Amid these concerns, Bleacher Report’s Alex Kay has proposed a potential solution: a trade that would bring veteran offensive lineman Larry Borom from the Chicago Bears to New England. In exchange, the Patriots would send a 2025 sixth-round draft pick to the Bears. This proposed trade could address some of the immediate concerns about the Patriots’ offensive line, which has been under scrutiny throughout the preseason.
Kay highlighted the Patriots’ offensive line issues, noting that the unit has faced considerable challenges and undergone numerous adjustments as new head coach Jerod Mayo searches for the most effective lineup. Despite these efforts, the offensive line remains a work in progress, and Kay suggests that acquiring Borom could provide a much-needed boost.
The Pats’ makeshift offensive line has struggled throughout the preseason and has undergone several changes as new head coach Jerod Mayo works to find the most effective combination,” Kay wrote on August 27. “The team may not be done tinkering just yet either, especially if a veteran like Larry Borom is available via trade.”
Borom, who is currently on the Bears’ roster bubble, could be a cost-effective option for the Patriots. His recent ankle injury, sustained during the preseason finale, has further complicated his status. Kay added, “Borom shouldn’t cost the Pats too much given his status on Chicago’s roster bubble and recently suffered an ankle injury in the preseason finale. He’s still an ideal short-term upgrade for a club with plenty of questions in the offensive trenches, especially one that can’t afford to let its first-year signal-caller get battered.”
Borom has been with the Bears since being drafted in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Over his tenure with Chicago, he has played in 39 games, starting 23 of them. The 25-year-old has demonstrated versatility, logging significant snaps at right tackle, left tackle, and both guard positions. According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), Borom has been a reliable contributor, allowing only one quarterback hit in 24 pass rush snaps this preseason. However, Borom is currently on short-term injured reserve due to a leg injury and will miss at least the first four games of the season.
Given this context, the Bears might be open to trading Borom if their offensive line performs well in his absence. It could be worthwhile for Patriots GM Bill Belichick to explore this opportunity by reaching out to Bears GM Ryan Poles.
Currently, the Patriots’ offensive line includes Chukwuma Okorafor, David Andrews, Jake Andrews, Layden Robinson, Nick Leverett, Cole Strange, Sidy Sow, Calvin Anderson, Vederian Lowe, Caedan Wallace, Michael Onwenu, and Tyrone Wheatley Jr. New England also claimed tackles Zach Thomas and Demontrey Jacobs off waivers, adding depth to their roster.
Coach Jerod Mayo acknowledged the need for improvement up front, stating, “I think it’s very clear — we have to improve as a whole. We have to improve up front. We felt like we did that with claiming those players.” Despite some concerns, Mayo tried to mitigate fears about the line’s readiness. Referring to the final preseason game against the Washington Commanders, he noted, “I think some of that stuff is being overblown. I would say we averaged 5 yards a carry, it was 1 sack and 2 quarterback hits. If you were to say that was the stat line, you would be okay with that.”
As the Patriots prepare to kick off their 2024 season on the road against the Cincinnati Bengals on September 8, the status of their offensive line remains a crucial factor in their performance. Whether or not they pursue a trade for Borom, bolstering the offensive line will be essential for the Patriots’ success in the upcoming season.
