The Patriots may be considering a surprising reunion with a former player in a bid to strengthen their roster.
New head coach Mike Vrabel faced a major challenge heading into the offseason, with expectations that rebuilding the team would take more than a year. While their on-field performance remains to be seen, Vrabel has tackled many of the team’s weaknesses through free agency and the draft, leaving only a few areas still in need of attention.
Even with those improvements, adding experienced and dependable players remains valuable—especially in positions that were previously lacking. With roughly \$67 million in cap space, the Patriots are in a position to bring in veteran help, particularly on the offensive line. That opens the door to a possible return for guard Shaq Mason, who was traded to Tampa Bay in 2022—a move Bill Belichick reportedly regretted.
In their effort to fully support rookie quarterback Drake Maye, the Patriots made it a point to invest heavily in the offensive line. They used the No. 4 draft pick on LSU tackle Will Campbell, signed veteran Morgan Moses, drafted center Jared Wilson to replace David Andrews, and added depth through free agency with Garrett Bradbury and Wes Schweitzer.
Still, Mason’s return could add more strength to the right side of the line. While the left side has struggled more, bringing in a reliable veteran like Mason could provide much-needed stability. If the team can sign him at a reasonable price and he’s open to a rotational role, it would be a smart move—especially given the team’s recent injury troubles. Mason could be the extra security the Patriots need to help Maye succeed in his second year.