In a significant move this March, the New England Patriots secured versatile offensive lineman Mike Onwenu to a three-year, $57 million contract, underscoring their commitment to bolstering their offensive line. Onwenu, who was selected in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL Draft, has shown remarkable adaptability throughout his NFL career.
Starting Strong
Onwenu began his journey in the league as a right tackle, making a solid impression during his rookie season. His ability to cement his role early on established him as a reliable contributor to the Patriots' offensive lineup. In his second year, Onwenu showcased his flexibility by splitting his duties between right and left tackle, further highlighting his value to the team.
A Shift in Roles
The 2022 season marked a pivotal change for Onwenu as the Patriots moved him to right guard for the majority of the year. This transition demonstrated his aptitude for adapting to different positions on the line, a quality that is highly valued in professional football. By the end of the season, Onwenu was back at right tackle, once again proving his versatility.
Commenting on his varied roles, Onwenu 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.” His perspective highlights the fluidity and strategic movements required in professional football.
Training Camp Dynamics
During the offseason activities (OTAs) and mandatory minicamp, Onwenu continued to demonstrate his adaptability. He resumed his role at right tackle during OTAs but shifted back to right guard during minicamp and the first practice of training camp. The Patriots’ coaching staff emphasized that these shifts are part of a broader strategy to field the best possible offensive line.
"I've had this conversation with AVP [Alex Van Pelt]. I've also talked to Mike and the rest of those offensive linemen," Head Coach Jerod Mayo explained. "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.”
Adapting to Changes
Onwenu's role anticipation aligns with his previous experiences. He said, “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.” His ability to handle unexpected changes on the field reflects his professional maturity and readiness.
A Competitive Lineup
Training camp practices also saw other notable configurations, with Calvin Anderson occupying the right tackle position and Chukwuma Okorafor anchoring the left tackle slot. Sidy Sow played at left guard, solidifying the interior alongside center David Andrews. This dynamic lineup indicates the Patriots' strategy to test different combinations and maximize their offensive efficiency.
Continuing his insights, Onwenu emphasized the importance of these early practice sessions: “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.”
These insights from Onwenu and Mayo highlight the Patriots’ broader philosophy of flexibility and strategic iteration in building their offensive line. With such a versatile player secured for the foreseeable future, the Patriots are well-positioned to address any challenges that might come their way in the upcoming season.