New England Patriots trade starter from last year’s Super Bowl team, and it opens up a path for promising 2025 NFL Draft pick

New England has dealt Garrett Bradbury to the Chicago Bears, and it opens up their upside on the offensive line.

AJ Schulte — College Football Trending News Writer
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Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel in the huddle with guard Jared Wilson (58) against the Seattle Seahawks during Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium.
Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The New England Patriots knew heading into this offseason that they had to upgrade their offensive line heading into year three with Drake Maye at the helm. That unit was victimized down the stretch of the playoffs, and their play has to improve moving forward.

They kickstarted their reshuffling up front on Friday, trading away center Garrett Bradbury to the Chicago Bears.

Bradbury trade the right move for Patriots long-term

The Patriots trade of Bradbury was a win-win for everyone involved, and is good business for the Patriots especially. Bradbury was a good veteran presence at the pivot for Drake Maye to lean on this season, and he was a steady presence up the middle. However, he wasn’t necessarily the strongest pass protector one-on-one in the interior, and is best suited as a veteran stopgap there.

However, they already have a plan in place to replace Bradbury, and it might have been their long-term plan. Last year, the Patriots drafted Jared Wilson in the 2025 NFL Draft. While they played him primarily at left guard as a rookie, his long-term outlook is better suited at center. The Bradbury move allows New England to move Wilson to his perhaps more natural position at center and allow him to grow there.

In his place, it feels safe to assume New England will have Ben Brown penciled in at left guard. Brown earned an extension with the team this season for his savvy play at both guard and center, and is a capable starter in his own right.

The Patriots will likely still add to the offensive line in the draft with some rookie competition at guard (and perhaps center), but for now, their Week 1 starting OL for next season is already on the roster with Will Campbell, Brown, Wilson, Mike Onwenu, and Morgan Moses returning around Maye next season.