Patriots Sign Veteran Swing Tackle to One-Year Deal

The New England Patriots posted an improved offensive line in 2025 from the previous season, where the unit struggled wholeheartedly.

Yet for a team with championship aspirations - having come so close this past year - an average level of protection for quarterback Drake Maye, which allowed the seventh most sacks per game of any line in the NFL in 2025, is not good enough.

The team took a gamble and added guard Alijah Vera-Tucker on a three-year, $42 million contract, who has been excellent when healthy, with the "when" being the operative word.

And now New England has taken steps to bolster their depth at the position by adding swing offensive tackle James Hudson, formerly of the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

The #Patriots are signing OL James Hudson to a 1-year deal, source said, as the former #Giants OL will add depth. pic.twitter.com/wGSggorWVs
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 23, 2026

"The Patriots are signing OL James Hudson to a 1-year deal, source said, as the former Giants OL will add depth." Rapoport posted on X on March 23rd.

Hudson was initially drafted out of the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft by the Browns, with whom he spent the duration of his rookie contract with. Over that period, he played in 49 games, starting 17 of them, on both sides of the exterior of the OL.

He was signed to a two-year deal by the Giants last offseason, but was released by the team earlier this month.

What Will James Hudson Add to the Offensive Line Unit?

Hudson has never been a full-time starter in his five seasons in the league, and there is little reason to believe that he is set to usurp either second-year pro Will Campbell or veteran right tackle Morgan Moses.

However, at this point in time, he will go into offseason workouts as the favorite to occupy the OT3/primary swing tackle role, filling in when either bookend is unavailable.

The Toledo alum could end up facing competition from last year’s seventh-round draft pick Marcus Bryant, but there is little doubt that Hudson’s experience and pedigree playing the position will give him the upper hand heading into OTAs and training camp.

This signing does not alleviate potential concerns of the line in and of itself. There are still worries that Campbell’s best position may still be on the interior rather than at left tackle, and Jared Wilson still has some progression needed before being regarded as a quality center.

It does, however, provide important, reliable insurance at one of the most important positions in football.

Make sure you bookmark New England Patriots on SI for the latest news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns, and so much more!