In March, the New England Patriots made a significant move by signing Mike Onwenu to a three-year, $57 million contract. The deal underscored the franchise's confidence in the versatile offensive lineman. Selected in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL Draft, Onwenu has steadily climbed the ranks to become a cornerstone of the Patriots' offensive line.
Onwenu’s journey in the NFL began as a right tackle, a role in which he quickly proved his worth. Spending his rookie season cementing his place at right tackle, he showcased his adaptability and skill. By his second year, Onwenu was splitting duties between the right and left tackle positions, demonstrating his versatility and essential value to the team.
Adjusting Roles
The 2022 season saw a strategic shift, with the Patriots moving Onwenu to right guard for the majority of the games. His flexibility to transition between various positions on the offensive line became a pivotal aspect of the Patriots’ strategy. However, Onwenu reverted to right tackle by the season's end, once again highlighting his adaptability.
As the team entered Organized Team Activities (OTAs) and mandatory minicamp, Onwenu resumed his role at right tackle. Yet, the shuffling didn't stop there. During the first practice of training camp, Onwenu shifted back to right guard. His movement between positions was part of a broader strategy to configure the best possible offensive line.
"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 explained.
Building the Best Line
Head Coach Jerod Mayo echoed a similar sentiment regarding positional flexibility among the offensive linemen. “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,” Mayo said.
During key practice sessions, Calvin Anderson took over the right tackle spot, while Chukwuma Okorafor anchored the left tackle position. Sidy Sow was seen playing at left guard, and David Andrews manned the center. The Patriots are clearly experimenting with different configurations to find the optimal lineup ahead of the season. Jacoby Brissett also took reps, underscoring the competitive nature of the camp and the commitment to ensuring every player finds their best fit.
Onwenu's ability to switch positions isn't surprising given his past experience. “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 remarked. This flexibility is invaluable, especially in ensuring the best lineup to protect the quarterback and advance the team's offensive capabilities.
Future Outlook
The Patriots' dynamic approach to configuring their offensive line reflects their commitment to optimizing performance and adaptability. Onwenu, with his proven track record and new contract, is set to play a crucial role in this evolving strategy. “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,” Onwenu stated.
As the season progresses, the Patriots will continue to fine-tune their lineup, leveraging the versatility and skillsets of players like Onwenu and others. It will be intriguing to see how these strategic adjustments play out on the field and contribute to the team’s success. The focus remains clear: putting the best players in the right positions to secure victory.