FOXBOROUGH – It takes a lot of hard work to have a lasting career in the NFL.
The Patriots newest right tackle can attest to that.
After 11 seasons, Morgan Moses is playing at such a high level, that the Patriots made him one of their priorities at the start of free agency, signing the veteran to a 3-year, $24 million contract.
On Thursday, Moses explained how he’s lasted so long in the league and how he’s able to play at such a high level at age 34.
“Being in the trenches, you’re always going to get banged up. Last year, I dealt with an injury from Week 3 on,” Moses said. “Just sleeping in a hyperbaric chamber. Waking up early, at 5 in the morning, to go into the facility to make sure the trainers see you doing your thing. Not every day you’re going to feel well to do everything so watching that tape. Being a guy that’s going in year 12, I’ve never been scared to ask like a younger guy, ‘Coach, what can I do better?”
Drafted in the third round in 2014, Moses has developed into one of the better right tackles in the NFL. He comes to New England having started 157 of his last 158 games played. The veteran explained that the key to his career has been “not staying complacent.” The father of three boys, Moses is a student of the game. He credits legendary offensive line coach Bill Callahan for teaching him when he entered the league.
Moses also leaned on several legendary teammates to show him the ropes. Moses played with future Hall of Fame tackle Trent Williams during his first five NFL seasons. He played one season with 3-time Pro Bowler Donald Penn. Last year, he was teammates with 8-time Pro Bowl tackle Tyron Smith.
Each teammate taught him something different – and he applied it to his career.
“When you get to take knowledge from everybody else and mix it in your own mixing bowl and come out with your own recipe, that’s what you get - longevity in the NFL,” Moses said. “And taking care of your body, just knowing what you need. Not every time you can go in the weight room throw 400 pounds on the bench. You might need Pilates. You might need yoga. You have to sprinkle some things in. just knowing your body, your own regimen, and fine-tuning things.”
Moses said he has a drive that forces him to work hard. That work ethic has helped him the last 11 NFL seasons and made it so the Patriots plan for him to protect Drake Maye on the right side of the offensive line.
Moses also wants to set a good example for his teammates and share some of the lessons he’s learned.
“Just being a professional every day coming in - even the days you don’t want to come in,” Moses said. “Those are your best days - when you feel a little sore and you don’t feel like practicing. But you’ve got a guy like Milton (Williams) that’s not going to slow down. He’s still hungry so he’s going to challenge you every day. That’s what you want in those trenches… iron sharpens iron. That’s what we’re building there. We’re not just building a team. We’re building a brotherhood.”
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