Okay, so get this: The New England Patriots just scooped up a familiar face for us Emerald City faithful. They brought in offensive lineman Greg Van Roten after their O-line depth took a major hit. We’re talking about their fourth and fifth interior linemen, Ben Brown and Andrew Rupcich, both going down with injuries in the preseason opener against the Colts. Suddenly, the Pats were vulnerable up front. Who do you call for a veteran presence, a guy who has genuinely seen it all? Yep, a former Seahawk.
That Grind From Penn to Patriot (And Every Stop In Between)
You gotta respect the journey this dude has been on, seriously. Greg Van Roten, who’s gonna be 36 years old on opening day 2026, started his pro career way back in 2012 as an undrafted free agent with the Green Bay Packers. But for us, the big moment was 2014 when he made his way to our beloved Seattle Seahawks, spending a year here in the green and blue! A guy who once wore our colors, still out there making plays. His path is insane, though. He even went north of the border for two years with the Toronto Argonauts in the CFL from 2015-16, which is where he first got consistent action! Can you believe his first NFL start didn’t even happen until 2018? From that point on, though, he’s been a rock, starting all 91 of his games, including an insane 51 straight over the last three seasons alone. He’s played 148 NFL games, started 105, totaling 183 professional contests. That’s a serious career!
Old Dog, New Team: Why This Veteran Still Delivers
So, what kind of player is this super-sub bringing to the table for 2026? Van Roten stands at 6-foot-3 and weighs 305 pounds, so he’s got adequate size to hold his own on the interior offensive line. While his 9.31 Relative Athletic Score from way back in 2012 might not be the most relevant number anymore, what *is* absolutely crucial and still on point is his pass protection. He plays with patience, uses his hands well, and understands attack angles from years in the trenches. Plus, his nimble feet keep him from being exposed under pressure. You combine that with his immense, battle-tested experience and that impressive recent durability, and what you get is a player who can step in and contribute immediately. The Patriots need that kind of versatile, experienced presence right now, and Van Roten is bringing it in spades, proving he’s still got plenty in the tank.
What’s Next For Our Former Guy?
For Greg Van Roten, this is another chapter in a truly remarkable journeyman career. He’s got a fresh chance to be a crucial, unsung piece for the Patriots, filling an immediate and glaring need and proving that age really is just a number when you play with this much grit and smarts. And for us Seahawks fans, it’s a cool nod to a player who once donned the blue and green, still out there battling, still proving he belongs. Will he continue that ironman streak? You gotta watch to find out!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pats Pulpit.
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