In March, the New England Patriots made a significant move by securing versatile offensive lineman Mike Onwenu to a three-year, $57 million contract. This investment underscores the organization's commitment to strengthening their offensive line and highlights Onwenu's importance to the team.
Mike Onwenu entered the league as a sixth-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, and he initially made a name for himself as a right tackle. During his rookie season, Onwenu solidified his role at right tackle, demonstrating his potential and earning the trust of the coaching staff. His versatility became even more evident in his second year, as he split duties between right and left tackle, providing flexibility and depth to the line.
In 2022, the Patriots' coaching staff decided to move Onwenu to right guard for most of the season, a role in which he excelled, proving his adaptability once again. However, by the end of the season, he found himself back at right tackle, ready to adjust as the team’s needs changed.
As the offseason workouts commenced, Onwenu resumed his role at right tackle during Organized Team Activities (OTAs). Yet, during mandatory minicamp, he shifted back to right guard and maintained this position throughout the initial practice of training camp. The Patriots' commitment to finding the best fit for Onwenu was apparent, with Calvin Anderson stepping in at right tackle during a significant practice session.
The same practice session saw Chukwuma Okorafor anchoring the left tackle spot, Sidy Sow at left guard, and David Andrews at center. Notably, quarterback Jacoby Brissett took reps during this session, working with the evolving offensive line formations.
Interestingly, Onwenu's adaptability and willingness to embrace various roles have been a key talking point. Reflecting on his experience, he mentioned, “It was essentially just practice in a few places. Days in and days out, we're going to be switching around, and it's going to be different lines, so just getting the best five out there and practicing, every guy practicing each position, and just knowing that you can play that position.”
Onwenu's readiness to play multiple positions is echoed by Head Coach Jerod Mayo, who emphasized the importance of versatility, “I've had this conversation with AVP [Alex Van Pelt]. I've also talked to Mike and the rest of those offensive linemen. Look, we're going to put the best five players out there on the field as an offensive line. If that means you've got to play guard or play tackle, I don't know. We'll see, it'll play itself out in camp. That's my mindset, it's about putting the best players on the field.”
For Onwenu, the movement across positions is nothing new, “It was a little surprising. Pretty much as a football player, I've done it in the past. I started as a guard, started as a jumbo tackle, and then I played tackle. It's just one of the positions that I play.” This statement reflects his pragmatic approach and team-first mentality.
As the Patriots continue their preparations for the upcoming season, the focus will remain on identifying the best configuration for their offensive line. According to Onwenu, “It is very important. It's early now so we had the OTAs, we had the spring, but we're getting into live football now. As the practices and the days go on, we'll see who fits where and how that fits with the best five.” The stakes are high, and the process of fine-tuning the line's composition is crucial for the team's success.
The New England Patriots’ strategic decisions regarding Mike Onwenu exemplify their dedication to building a resilient and adaptable offensive line. Onwenu’s journey from a sixth-round pick to a key player on a lucrative new contract demonstrates the value of versatility and the importance of adaptability in the ever-evolving landscape of the NFL.