Report: Patriots’ Top Reserve Offensive Lineman Expected To Return

The New England Patriots may lose nineteen players at the beginning of the new NFL league year. March 18 will be a big day for many players, and some of them will soon have more details about their deals. Patriots’ offensive lineman James Ferentz makes major topics these days.

In 2019, he had two starts with one sack and nine hurries allowed. According to reports, New England plans to bring back at least one of the unrestricted free-agent interior offensive lineman.

Left guard Joe Thuney and center Ted Karras will probably walk in free agency. Ferentz is easy to retain. The 30-year-old was one of the unlikeliest of starters in the past season. Six years after going undrafted out of Iowa, the offensive lineman had his first two career starts in Weeks 8 and 14 of the 2019 season. Ferentz filled in for Shaq Mason at right guard in the game against the Cleveland Browns and for Karras at center in the game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Ferentz is an offensive lineman and he allowed a sack and nine hurries over the course of 203 total snaps.

Patriots’ offensive lineman may return

The offensive lineman had previously played just 23 career snaps in five previous campaigns. Ferentz spent the entire 2014 and 2017 seasons and half of the 2018 season as a member of the practice squads. He wasn’t even expected to make the Patriots’ roster in 2019, and the team used up his practice squad eligibility. However, he beat out a number of undrafted free agents plus Russell Bodine and Jermaine Eluemunor when it comes to getting snaps and a roster spot.

Regardless of what happens with Thuney and Karras, New England should try to bring back Ferentz. The offensive lineman will be cheap, and the team loves him. He also turned out to be a dependable backup in 2019.

We’re not trying to say that New England won’t look to upgrade Ferentz’ reserve role in OTAs, minicamp, training camp and the preseason. The offensive lineman will probably face steep competition, but head coach Bill Belichick knows that Ferentz can handle the position if he wins out again this time.