Patriots tackle: ‘I was not in the right headspace’ at beginning of season

Story by

Story by
Patriots tackle: ‘I was not in the right headspace’ at beginning of season

Mark Daniels · MassLive

Fri, Dec 26, 2025 ·

4 min read

About Our Ads

FOXBOROUGH – Thayer Munford was hurt and mentally wasn’t in the right space to do what he needed to help the Patriots .

That’s why his second stint with the team this season has gone so much better.

The offensive tackle was on the Patriots ’ practice squad for the first month of the season before getting signed by the Cleveland Browns . When Will Campbell landed on the injured reserve, and the Patriots needed more depth, the team brought Munford back into the field.

Over the last three weeks, the 26-year-old turned into the team’s top backup tackle. Mike Vrabel said he noticed a difference when Munford returned to Foxborough.

“You saw a different Thayer, I think, than the one that left here,” Vrabel said. “And again, having spent time with another team, came here, and I think it was okay. And then getting claimed by Cleveland, coming back, I think we all, including Thayer, saw a different version of him. One who was much more prepared, ready to go physically, and has done that role before. He’s helped us, hopefully, and whether he plays tackle or both spots on the offensive line. So, I think we’ve just seen a different version of Thayer, and I think he’s trying to take advantage of his opportunities.”

Munford explained that mentally, he returned to New England in a much better place, and it has led to better results.

Over the previous three seasons, the offensive tackle played in 46 games and made 18 starts with the Las Vegas Raiders . After initially making the team’s roster, following training camp, he thought he’d stay there for his fourth NFL season.

However, 24 hours later, the Raiders cut Munford in a corresponding move. Two days after that, the Patriots signed him to the practice squad, but when Munford came to New England, he wasn’t focused.

Munford said he understood what Vrabel meant by saying they say a different version of him.

“He basically means at the beginning of the season, I was not in the right headspace,” Munford said. “After I got let go by the Raiders, I thought I was going to be there this year, especially after they kept me on the roster after everybody was on the 53. I was all types of messed up in my head.”

For Munford, the tide turned when the Browns signed him off the Patriots’ practice squad to their 53-man roster. He thought he was going to turn a corner. However, Cleveland released him on Oct. 13 and signed him to their practice squad. Munford was motivated to prove people wrong when the Patriots signed him to their active roster on Nov. 25.

“I was three or four weeks here, and when I got picked up from Cleveland, I was like, alright, I’m ready to go,” Munford said. “And when I got released there, I was like, ‘OK, forget everyone else, I’m going to show them who messed up in their department.’ When I came here, I just had the mindset to keep going every day and put my best foot forward.”

Since coming back to New England, Munford has appeared in all three games, playing 48 snaps on offense and 16 on special teams. He filled in for Morgan Moses at right tackle against Baltimore and has been used as a jumbo tight end.

After getting released by two teams this season, Munford is now contributing to a playoff-bound Patriots team.

“It was a rude awakening, but it is what it is. It’s the NFL. I’m just grateful to be in this position,” Munford said. “Happy to be back with everybody. Happy to be in the position that I am. I’m happy to contribute to the team.”

More Patriots Content