The Patriots handed offensive lineman Mike Onwenu a pretty hefty contract this offseason, inking him to a three-year, $57 million deal.
It’s not enough.
New England has — for lack of a better term — jerked the fifth-year pro around this season, moving him between right tackle and right guard on a near-weekly basis. It’s been out of necessity at times, but there’s a lingering feeling that those constant position changes have impacted the 26-year-old negatively.
Onwenu finished with a 71.5 PFF grade in 2023, having settled in at tackle and found his footing in a spot where many assumed he’d continue to play in 2024. He’s down to 66.5 in 2024, which would mark his fourth consecutive season with a lowered PFF grade.
Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt doesn’t seem too worried about any of that, though, admitting Thursday that there was consideration to move him to a third position — left guard.
“Mike’s our best offensive lineman so we’re going to put him where he can be most successful for us,” Van Pelt said, per Kevin Stone of New England Football Journal.
Onwenu was seen practicing on the left side Wednesday and has played there before, but you would have to go all the way back to his sophomore season in 2021 — when he got benched for poor performance.
New England hasn’t given him a single snap on the left side (402 total) since, keeping him at right guard (1,666) and right tackle (1,844), per PFF.
The Patriots might want to reconsider the move, not only for the fact that it didn’t work out great the first time but because they’re flirting with disaster on the continuity front. The Tennessee Titans’ pressure rate was cut in half when Onwenu shifted inside to right guard last week, which is a good thing. Layden Robinson and Sidy Sow — his potential replacements at that spot — each have already been benched this season, which is a bad thing.
If it ain’t broke…
