FOXBOROUGH — What was once seen as a low-risk, high-reward offseason pickup for the New England Patriots is quickly becoming a subject of heated internal debate and public scrutiny. The Patriots’ $9.5 million investment in veteran center Garrett Bradbury is beginning to raise alarm bells in Foxborough, as troubling signs on and off the field begin to surface just weeks into offseason activities.
When Bradbury, the former Minnesota Vikings first-round pick, signed with New England, it was hailed as a savvy move to reinforce the interior line and provide stability in the trenches for a franchise attempting to rebuild around a new quarterback and a revised offensive identity. But fast forward to early July, and whispers inside the locker room and across league circles suggest that the Patriots may be second-guessing the deal — and fast.
Sources close to the organization describe Bradbury as “unfocused” and “not fully synced with the playbook,” citing concerns raised by the coaching staff regarding his consistency with snap timing and blocking reads during minicamp. There’s also growing unease about his chemistry with newly drafted quarterback Drake Maye, who reportedly has had to adjust cadence and protections more than expected due to miscommunication with the veteran center.
Even more concerning are reports that Bradbury has struggled to meet the Patriots’ demanding strength and conditioning benchmarks, something that offensive line coach Scott Pioli has emphasized in multiple offseason pressers. Some insiders worry that Bradbury, who battled recurring back issues during his final two seasons in Minnesota, might not be able to physically hold up for a full season in the AFC East’s notoriously rough trenches.
Fans have not remained silent. Talk radio lines and message boards lit up this week with frustration over the deal. “Nine and a half million for a guy who can’t handle OTAs? This is turning into another Jonnu Smith situation,” one prominent Patriots blogger posted, referencing another failed free agency acquisition that haunted the franchise in recent years.
General manager Eliot Wolf has yet to comment publicly, but sources say internal reviews of Bradbury’s performance have already prompted discussions about bringing in competition ahead of training camp. A recent visit by a free agent center with starting experience only fueled speculation that Bradbury’s grip on the starting job is tenuous at best.
While it’s far too early to label the signing a bust, the early indicators are troubling. With a new quarterback to protect and a fan base hungry for a turnaround, the margin for error is paper thin in Foxborough. If Bradbury can’t flip the narrative during camp, the Patriots could be staring down one of the more regrettable contracts of the 2025 free agency class — and facing yet another missed opportunity in a pivotal rebuilding year.