In a significant move this March, the New England Patriots have locked in offensive lineman Mike Onwenu with a substantial three-year, $57 million contract. This deal marks a pivotal moment for the Patriots and Onwenu, who was initially picked in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
Onwenu's journey through the NFL has been marked by versatility and adaptability. He entered the league as a right tackle and quickly made a name for himself during his rookie season by securing his role in that position. In his sophomore year, Onwenu demonstrated his flexibility by splitting his duties between right and left tackle, showcasing his ability to adapt to different roles on the offensive line.
By 2022, the Patriots shifted Onwenu to right guard, where he spent the majority of the season. However, his dynamism came to the forefront once more when he played at right tackle towards the end of the season. This positional fluidity continued into the off-season, with Onwenu resuming his role at right tackle during OTAs. Yet, during mandatory minicamp, he shifted back to right guard and maintained this position throughout the initial practice sessions of training camp.
Onwenu, reflecting on these positional changes, noted, “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.”
These adjustments speak volumes about the Patriots' strategy to optimize their offensive line by finding the most effective combination of players. Head Coach Jerod Mayo has been clear about this approach. “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.”
Competition and Collaboration on the Offensive Line
During one particularly notable practice session, Calvin Anderson took on the right tackle duties while Chukwuma Okorafor anchored the left tackle spot. Sidy Sow manned the left guard position, with David Andrews at center. This reshuffling is part of a broader effort to find the optimal lineup, as Mayo emphasized the importance of trying out different combinations early in the pre-season.
For Onwenu, moving between positions is not a novelty. “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,” Onwenu said, underscoring his experience and willingness to adapt to whatever is needed for the team.
The Patriots are leveraging this pre-season period to experiment and decide on the best configuration for their offensive line. As Onwenu puts it, “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.”
This adaptive strategy could be crucial as the Patriots aim to bolster their offensive line's performance. Onwenu's contract not only signifies his value to the team but also highlights the expectations placed on him to be one of its most dependable and flexible players.
With the NFL season on the horizon, the Patriots will continue fine-tuning their lineup, seeking to ensure that when game day arrives, they have the most formidable offensive line possible. Mike Onwenu’s ability to switch seamlessly between positions is a critical asset in this mission, reflecting the Patriots’ commitment to agility and excellence on the field.