In March, the New England Patriots took a definitive step to solidify their offensive line by securing Mike Onwenu on a three-year, $57 million contract. With this significant investment, the Patriots clearly underscored their belief in Onwenu's potential and versatility.
Drafted in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL Draft, Onwenu quickly made his presence felt in the league. Initially stepping in as a right tackle, he cemented his role in the position during his rookie season. The following year saw Onwenu splitting his duties between right and left tackle, showcasing his flexibility and adaptability on the field.
By 2022, the Patriots made a strategic move by shifting Onwenu to right guard for most of the season, though he reverted back to right tackle by the end of the year. This shuffling of positions highlighted the coaching staff’s effort to find the best configuration for their offensive line. As the OTAs commenced, Onwenu was back at right tackle. However, during mandatory minicamp, he shifted to the right guard position, which he maintained throughout the initial practice of training camp.
The Patriots' strategy of rotating positions continued to be evident as Calvin Anderson took over right tackle duties during a notable practice session, with Chukwuma Okorafor anchoring the left tackle spot, Sidy Sow playing at left guard, and David Andrews at center. Meanwhile, Jacoby Brissett also took reps, testing different combinations to find the optimal lineup.
Onwenu's adaptability was not just a display of his talent but also part of a broader tactical approach by the coaching staff. “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 remarked about the constant adjustments.
Head Coach Jerod Mayo echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of flexibility and performance. “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 positional switches were part of the game. “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,” he explained. This versatility is exactly what the Patriots value as they prepare for the upcoming season.
“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 added, reflecting the ongoing nature of the team’s evaluations.
The New England Patriots are evidently focused on optimizing their offensive line, exploring various player combinations to ensure the highest level of performance. With Onwenu's demonstrated versatility and the coaching staff’s commitment to flexibility, the Patriots are well-positioned to create a robust front line for the season ahead.