FOXBOROUGH — The New England Patriots moved to solidify the wall around Drake Maye on Monday, signing offensive lineman James Hudson to a one-year deal. The veteran joins a roster still reeling from a Super Bowl loss to the Seattle Seahawks where the pocket collapsed at the worst possible moments.
James Hudson arrives in Foxborough after a roller-coaster 2025 stint with the New York Giants. While the 26-year-old isn’t the flashy name fans craved in free agency, he provides a veteran safety net for a unit in transition. Last season, the Patriots’ offensive line surrendered 47 sacks, and the pressure peaked in February. During the Super Bowl, the Seahawks’ pass rush bullied the front, leaving Maye to scramble for his life. Hudson, a 2021 fourth-round pick, brings 60 games of experience and the flexibility to play both tackle spots.
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The move also signals a potential shift for sophomore standout Will Campbell. The 2025 first-rounder faced a “trial by fire” rookie campaign, starting 13 games before a knee injury sidelined him late in the year. Although he returned for the championship run, the Seahawks’ edge defenders exposed his footwork. Rumors out of One Patriot Place suggest the coaching staff may slide Campbell inside to guard to better utilize his power and mask his 32-inch arm length, which proved a liability on the edge last month.
“We saw what happened when our protection broke down in the big one. Drake is the engine of this team, and we can’t let him take those hits. Signing a guy like Hudson is about making sure we have bodies who have seen NFL speed.”
— New England Personnel Source
Protecting the 2025 NFL passer rating leader (113.5) remains the top priority. Drake Maye threw for 4,394 yards and 31 touchdowns last season, but his efficiency plummeted when forced off his spot. Hudson serves as a bridge, but the real work begins in late April. With the 2026 NFL Draft set for Pittsburgh, the Patriots hold enough capital to target another cornerstone tackle. Expect the front office to remain aggressive as they look to flip the script on their Super Bowl collapse and ensure Maye has a clean pocket for the 2026 campaign.
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