Patriots are paying only $4.6 million to learn what Vikings couldn't figure out
Among the most dire groups in need of upgrading this offseason was the Patriots' offensive line, which explains Mike Vrabel's decision to use the fourth overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft on the best left tackle of the incoming class. It's so far, so good with Will Campbell, thankfully, but it wasn't just addressing the blindside that needed to be dealt with.
Vrabel put the team in a hole when he decided to release longtime starting center David Andrews, who eventually chose to retire. They were also far from having a go-to right tackle, as previous regimes continued to rotate players on the right side, with Mike Onwenu being the latest to deal with that fate.
That meant the team had to look into bringing in some quality talent in free agency, which could be argued wasn't necessarily accomplished.
However, their decision to sign center Garrett Bradbury, a first-round draft pick in 2019 by the Vikings, has proven to be one of their most valuable moves of the offseason, as he is currently on pace to have the best season of his career.
The Patriots are paying pennies for what appears to be their next longtime center
Despite earning his stripes as the starting center for the Vikings over six seasons and signing a three-year extension in 2023, Bradbury was released by the team in the midst of free agency and was almost immediately signed by the Patriots.
It was deemed an unexciting and questionable move by the new regime in the eyes of many analysts and fans because most believed there was a reason Minnesota released him, and PFF grades seem to tell the story.
But he has proven to be exactly what the offense needed in a post-David Andrews era at center, as Bradbury is performing like a superstar so far. That has to hurt for the Vikings, who knew how good he was, but are now struggling in his absence.
Looking back on his 2024 season, in the first five games, he allowed 14 pressures, a sack, and accrued three penalties. In five games with the Patriots so far, Bradbury has put up an opposite performance by allowing just four pressures, no sacks, and no penalties.
That's quite a change from just one year ago and a significant boost to the Patriots' shaky offensive line over the last few years. Bradbury has already become a staple in the group and one of the most reliable players on the roster, which has made Drake Maye's job a whole lot easier, as we saw on full display against the Bills last Sunday.
Making matters even better is seeing how the Vikings are struggling in Bradbury's absence, as they are now down to their third-string center due to injuries. That could have very easily been the Patriots had they not been so quick to sign a starting-caliber player, much like they did last year. Instead, they are thriving with a first-rounder who is actively making their franchise quarterback even better.
Broncos Bracing for Pro Bowl Playmaker’s Return Before ‘Monday Night Football’
The Denver Broncos have lost back-to-back games and are searching for their second win of the season heading into their Week 4 tilt at home against the Cincinnati Bengals on “Monday Night Football.” Fortunately for the Broncos, Pro Bowl tight end Evan Engram could also return.
Engram missed the Broncos’ Week 3 loss to the Indianapolis Colts with a back injury. That followed a calf injury that limited him in practice the week before.
His return could provide a boost for a Broncos team that needs it as well as consistency.
Broncos TE Evan Engram Set for Return to Practice
Engram signed a two-year, $23 million contract with the Broncos in free agency this offseason after three years with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He was supposed to provide a dynamic presence in the middle of the field for Broncos quarterback Bo Nix.
His injury has hindered their ability to further develop chemistry in practice.
Engram’s return is a positive turn for a Broncos team that has been beset by injuries to key players like him.
“Per source, #Broncos TE Evan Engram expected back at practice today,” 9News’ Mike Klis reported on X on September 25. “He missed last week’s practices and game with a back issue. Broncos getting healthier at a good time.”
The Broncos have also been without linebacker Dre Greenlaw since training camp. He is on injured reserve and must miss at least three more games, including Week 4 against the Titans.
Getting Engram back on the field is one thing for the Broncos, but unlocking him is another.
Broncos HC Sean Payton Urged to ‘Help Bo Nix
Engram’s usage when healthy had become a source of consternation, with questions about how Broncos head coach Sean Payton chose to deploy the group.
Despite playing in the Broncos’ first two games, Engram did not start either. Criticism about Payton’s personnel groupings goes beyond just Engram, though. Former Broncos wide receiver and 2015 Super Bowl champion Bennie Fowler urged Payton to make fewer group changes.
Fowler believes that would alleviate some of the frustration Nix showed in Week 3.
“I want Sean to help Bo out a little bit more. I’m sick of Bo going, watching him break the huddle and go like this: ‘Hurry up. Snap the ball. Hurry up. Hurry up. Snap the ball.’ That means the play call is not getting in there,” Fowler told co-host Dave Logan on the “Broncos X’s & O’s” podcast on September 23.
“Obviously, Sean has got all of these different personnels. I want to see Courtland [Sutton] and Marvin [Mims] and Troy [Franklin] just stay out there for a whole series.”
“We’re wholesale changing all the time. And one of the things that I wrote down on my notes is ‘rhythm and timing.’ Michael Thomas didn’t really come off the field. When I played here with Demaryius [Thomas] and Emanuel [Sanders], they didn’t come off the field,” Fowler said.
“We would change the slots, or we change the tight ends. But your main guys, your horses, especially your receivers out there, stay out there.”
Payton staunchly believes in his methods, so change could be hard to come by for the Broncos.
