The New England Patriots need to upgrade their offensive line this offseason. The Patriots ranked dead last in Pro Football Focus’s final offensive line rankings for the 2024 season and although they currently project to bring all five starters back, it’s not a good thing considering their overall struggles.
The Patriots took one step forward by hiring Mike Vrabel as head coach. While he’s a product of Bill Belichick, he also brings a smashmouth playing style from his time with the Tennessee Titans that should benefit New England’s performance in the trenches.
But while a draft pick and a free agent signing may be in order, there could also be a reunion in the works as a player who won a Super Bowl championship with New England became available on Friday morning.
Patriots Could Reunite With Shaq Mason After His Release From Texans
According to KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson, the Houston Texans are releasing offensive guard Shaq Mason. Mason spent seven seasons with the Patriots, winning titles in 2017 and 2019 but was traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to reunite with Tom Brady before the 2022 season.
#Texans plan to bolster guard position through free agency and #NFLDraft2025 and moving on from veteran guard Shaq Mason, per sources, is another step toward their offensive line plan @KPRC2 https://t.co/FxIrGV2E3W https://t.co/DAxtIF38l4
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) March 7, 2025
Mason was traded to the Texans the following year and spent two seasons in Houston. While he received a three-year, $35 million contract extension upon his arrival, the Texans didn’t get a return on their investment as Mason posted a 65.6 overall grade in 2023 and a career-low 60.5 overall grade last year.
This doesn’t sound like a player the Patriots should be interested in, especially as Mason struggled with injury and allowed a 5.7% pressure rate on 629 pass-blocking snaps. But the bar is extremely low considering New England’s struggles at the guard position.
Mike Onwenu had the most extensive experience at the position and ranked 34th out of 77 guards with a PFF grade of 65.2. But Layden Robinson was one of the worst guards in football last season, posting a 43.6 overall grade that ranked 74th among qualifiers. Robinson also allowed a 9.7% pressure rate while Michael Jordan posted a 51.4 overall grade and a 5.6% pressure rate on 405 pass-blocking snaps.
Mason wouldn’t be a seismic upgrade and he may be a lottery ticket entering his age-32 season. But he would also be reunited with offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, who served on Belichick’s staff as Mason posted an overall grade of 80 or higher in five of his seven seasons in Foxborough.
Even if the Patriots could get replacement-level play Mason, it would be a significant step toward addressing their offensive line. That would go a long way toward helping Vrabel restore New England to respectability and make life a little easier on quarterback Drake Maye.