The Patriots signed Moses to a three-year deal in free agency.
The New England Patriots early focus during the NFL’s negotiation window came on the defensive side of the ball. But, that did not stop them from making a key addition along the offense.
After New England’s offensive line was one of, if not the worst, units in football last year, the team agreed to a deal with right tackle Morgan Moses on Monday.
With that all said, let’s take a closer look at Moses and what he may bring to the table in New England.
Hard facts
Name: Morgan Moses
Position: Offensive tackle
Opening day age: 34 (03/03/1991)
Size: 6-foot-6, 318 pounds
Contract status: 3 years, $24 million, $28 million max value
Experience
NFL teams: Washington Commanders (2014-20), New York Jets (2020-21), Baltimore Ravens (2022-23), New York Jets (2024), New England Patriots (2025-)
Following his collegiate career at the University of Virginia, Moses was a third-round draft selection (No. 66 overall) to Washington in the 2014 NFL Draft.
Moses went on to start just one game his rookie season before landing on injured reserve in December. Winning the starting right tackle job in training camp entering his second season, Moses became an ironman along the team’s front.
From that 2015 season to 2020, Moses played all 96 games for Washington logging over 1,000 snaps in three separate seasons. His strong play and availability also earned him a five-year contract extension with the club in the 2017 offseason.
Washington cut ties with Moses following a Wild Card playoff loss in 2020, where the tackle then signed a one-year deal with the Jets. Moses appeared in all 17 games for New York — starting 16 — which led to him inking a three-year, $15 million with the Ravens in free agency the following offseason.
Moses went on to start 31 games for the Ravens over the first two years of the contract before he was traded back to New York last March for draft compensation.
2024 review
Stats: 14 games (14 starts) | 722 offensive snaps (84%) | 16 pressures (2 sacks, 2 hits, 12 hurries), 8 penalties
Back in New York handling right tackle duties for Aaron Rodgers, Moses was rolled up on in a Week 3 Thursday night win over the Patriots which led to him suffering a Grade 2 MCL tear, a meniscus issue and a small fracture in his knee.
In a rare occurrence, he was forced to miss the Jets next two games before returning to action in Week 6. While New York limited his practice time during the season, Moses went on the play in every game the rest of the year for the Jets despite the painful knee injury which needed extensive rehab — including hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
Fighting through pain was nothing new to the veteran throughout his career. Just the year prior, Moses played through a torn pectoral muscle in Baltimore after missing just two midseason games.
Playing through the knee injury last season, Moses maintained a strong level of play for the Jets as he allowed just two sacks and 16 pressures over the course of the season.
Patriots preview
What will be his role? After the right tackle position was the weakest on New England’s offensive line last season, Moses should enter the season as the day one starter on the right side. Moses will provide a steady presence at the position and in the locker room, while also allowing Mike Onwenu to focus at his best position at right guard — where the duo should excel working off each other.
What is his growth potential? At 34, what you see is what you get in Moses. But, that’s exactly what the Patriots needed without an immediate option at right tackle elsewhere on the roster.
Does he have positional versatility? Moses has primarily been a right tackle during his NFL career. That is where he should remain in New England to help solidify that side of the offensive line. If things get dire, however, he does have limited left tackle experience from his collegiate career and as an injury replacement in Washington.
What does it mean for New England’s salary cap? The exact details are not yet known for Moses’ three-year deal in New England. Based off base AAV, Moses is the fourth-biggest contract the Patriots agreed to on Monday. His cap hit will likely fall in that range leaving New England with plenty of spending room moving forward.
What does it mean for New England’s draft outlook? After drafting Caedan Wallace in the third-round of last year’s draft, New England does not have to invest in the right tackle spot this April. They do, however, remain in the market at left tackle — where an early investment in the draft should almost be counted on.
How safe is his roster spot? While the exact details will reveal when New England can get out of the three-year contract, Moses will not be going anywhere this season. The Patriots need NFL-caliber tackles and Moses presents that.
One-sentence verdict: The 34-year-old Moses may not provide New England a long-term answer at right tackle, but he will immediately upgrade the weakest part of their line while allowing Caedan Wallace to continue to develop behind the scenes.