The New York Giants have overhauled their offensive line this offseason, but such is the case when OL coach Carmen Bricillo followed Brian Daboll to Tennessee. So it wasn't surprising to see one of the guys who Bricillo brought to the Giants also walk out the front door when there was no room for him.
Big Blue was never bringing back Greg Van Roten. That became clear as soon as Daniel Faalele followed John Harbaugh to New York, and it felt even more obvious when the Giants drafted Miami tackle Francis Mauigoa with the 10th pick in the 2026 Draft, with the intent of moving him to guard.
It was surprising enough that Van Roten hadn't found a new home yet, but he's no longer an unsigned player. Instead of following Bricillo to Nashville, GVR is reportedly signing a one-year deal with the defending AFC Champion New England Patriots, whom he visited with a couple of weeks ago.
Source: Patriots are signing veteran guard Greg Van Roten to a one-year deal.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) August 17, 2026
Giants’ starting guard the last two seasons joins the defending AFC champions. pic.twitter.com/zfpt9fb5Fl
Ex-Giants OL Greg Van Roten is signing with the New England Patriots
The 36-year-old started all 34 games he appeared in as a Giant, never missing a snap. He's also able to play all three interior positions for a Patriots team that won't ask him to be a starter. And that's good news for them, since he was probably the weakest starter on the offensive line last season.
According to Pro Football Focus, Greg Van Roten's 65.4 PFF grade ranked 35th out of 81 qualified guards, while his 70.2 pass-blocking grade ranked 22nd. I wouldn't call the veteran an elite starter under any circumstances, but he only allowed three sacks and is plenty serviceable as a spot starter.
It's tough to see him go, since he is far more dependable than Faalele, and Mauigoa is still pretty unproven, so keeping Van Roten would've been smart. But since the Giants didn't, the Patriots pulled off a heist by adding more protection for Drake Maye this close to the start of the season.
GVR will back up Michael Onwenu and Alijah Vera-Tucker in New England, but could have to step in at left guard for the injury-prone Vera-Tucker. AVT has never appeared in all 17 games in a season and missed all of last season due to torn triceps suffered before the year even started.
Yes, he appeared in 15 games in 2024 and 16 as a rookie, but only made 12 starts across 2022 and 2023. The Patriots have to know there was real risk in signing him to a three-year, $42 million contract in free agency, and signing Van Roten offers them insurance in the event he goes down again.
It would have been nice to keep him, especially since he signed with a rival, but Greg Van Roten is in a much better spot playing for a much better team in all likelihood.
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