Mike onwenu, a veteran offensive lineman, is expected to leave the new england patriots this offseason.
He is unquestionably at the top of the squad’s list of potential free agents. Given new england’s offensive line struggles in recent seasons, it seemed that the 26-year-old offensive lineman would be a priority to re-sign. Onwenu played right guard, right tackle, and left guard during his four seasons with the team.
Though onwenu can help strengthen a new england weakness in the final two seasons, it’s becoming increasingly likely that he won’t be wearing a patriots uniform in the forthcoming season.
According to espn’s jeremy fowler, onwenu is regarded by many clubs as the best offensive lineman available in free agency due to his aggressiveness, quickness, and versatility as a guard or tackle. “the patriots are essentially aware that onwenu will have high bidders and that he is not returning.” since selecting onwenu in the sixth round of the 2020 nfl draft, the patriots have seen him develop into a vital member of the offensive line. He played in 99 percent of the offensive plays in 2022. onwenu’s possible departure for an offensive line that is already questionable and could see significant changes this offseason is raising even more questions.
Left tackle trent brown is heading for the exit after a difficult season, and it’s not entirely unlikely that david andrews will hang up his cleats after eight seasons.
Though none of the three were particularly effective in their rookie campaigns, the patriots did use a substantial amount of draft money to strengthen their offensive line last year, including jake andrews, sidy sow, and antonio mafi. in the event that onwenu leaves the patriots, first-year head coach jerod mayo will have yet another task: ensuring that the young players’ development is supported by the team.
