Patriots LB Mack Wilson New Number, Fresh Start
FOXBORO — New England Patriots linebacker Mack Wilson, Sr. is set for a fresh start in 2023.
Nearly one year to the day on which the Pats acquired him in a rare, player-for-player trade with the Cleveland Browns for linebacker Chase Winovich, Wilson signed a one-year, $2.2 million deal to remain with the team for the upcoming season. Though his first season with New England did not quite yield the type of statistical satisfaction for which he had hoped, both he and the team are deservingly confident in his ability to compete for a spot among the Pats corps of linebackers in 2023.
Adding to his theme of new beginnings, Wilson will also be wearing a new number affixed to his Patriots jersey this season — with a bit of a familiar feel.
Wilson, who wore No. 30 last season with New England, previously wore No. 3 at George Washington Carver High School in his native Montgomery, Alabama. There, he earned totaled 115 tackles, five sacks, four forced fumbles and an interception as a senior while earning five-star recruit status.
While his reasons for the switch are likely greater than a return to his high school glory days, Wilson will undoubtedly look to recapture some of his past success while wearing the single digit.
Wilson played in all 17 games for the Pats in 2022, having compiled 36 total tackles (two for loss), 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble. While he did not quite have the type of standout sideline-to-sideline impact for which he was acquired, he did demonstrate both speed and athleticism to earn three starts, mostly playing off-the-ball. Still he did not play a single defensive snap over the final five games of the year and was exclusively used on special teams down the stretch, ranking third on the team with 10 tackles on various coverage units.
Despite some first-year growing pains in the Pats system, Wilson has largely found his new surroundings to be quite recognizable — having played his collegiate football for Nick Saban at the University of Alabama, where he also donned No. 30. Saban, a former assistant of Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, has long been known to run a style with the Crimson Tide similar to that which is run in New England. From his first moments in Foxboro, Wilson saw the commonalities between the two programs.
“Alabama is really not much different [than New England],” Wilson told reporters during his introductory video conference in May 2022. “Being here with the Patriots, this is professional. It’s been a lot of hard work, and a lot of fun as well…But, it’s just super structured, man. I feel like it’s just something that brings out the best in people, man.”
Accordingly, Wilson is not only bringing out the best in himself on the field, he is also doing so within Patriots Nation. In addition to being active in several community charities, the four-year veteran is also quite appreciative of his fans … especially those who have invested in sporting his jersey.
True to his word, Wilson reached out to the fan on Friday to arrange for a No. 3 Patriot Blue jersey to be sent his way.
In the final analysis, there is significant upside to be found in Wilson’s new beginning. With the Patriots continuously looking to get younger, and faster at the linebacker position, Wilson will clearly help in that regard. In New England’s system, he should retain his role as a rotational inside linebacker, playing off-the-ball. However, his work-ethic and dedication may just make his “3” a “charm” both on and off the field this season, and perhaps beyond.
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