Patriots Trade Proposal Sends Bears Veteran OL to NE: ‘Ideal Upgrade’
With the 2024 regular season a week away, offensive line remains a primary concern for the New England Patriots.
The team announced it will be veteran Jacoby Brissett under center to start the regular season, but whether it’s Brissett or rookie Drake Maye at quarterback, protection is likely going to be an issue.
Considering New England’s questionable offensive line, Alex Kay of Bleacher Report proposed a trade that would send current Chicago Bears offensive lineman Larry Borom to New England in exchange for a 2025 sixth-round draft pick.
“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 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,” Kay added. “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.”
Should the Patriots Attempt to Trade for Chicago Bears Swing Tackle Larry Borom?
It wouldn’t hurt to inquire about Borom’s availability.
Borom has been with the Bears since 2021, and he has been a solid contributor. Selected in the fifth round of the draft that year, the versatile offensive lineman has played in 39 games for the Bears in that span, starting 23 of them. The 25-year-old OL has played 1,012 snaps at right tackle, 493 snaps at left tackle, and 62 snaps combined at both left and right guard, according to PFF.
He allowed a lone quarterback hit in 24 pass rush snaps this preseason.
An experienced swing tackle, Borom is starting the season on the short-term injured reserve list with a leg injury. At minimum, he’ll miss at least the first four games of the season.
That said, the Bears might be willing to move him if their line performs well to start the season. It might be worth a phone call to Bears GM Ryan Poles to find out.
A Look at New England’s Current Offensive Line After Roster Cuts
Here’s an updated look at the current group of offensive linemen on New England’s 53-man roster: 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, so they’re currently on the active roster, as well.
