In March, the New England Patriots solidified their commitment to Mike Onwenu by signing him to a three-year, $57 million contract. This move underscores the franchise's recognition of his versatility and importance to the offensive line.
Having been selected in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL Draft, Onwenu initially entered the league as a right tackle. His rookie season was spent cementing his role at this position, showcasing his skills and earning praise for his performance.
However, the 2021 season brought a new set of challenges and opportunities as Onwenu split his duties between right and left tackle, demonstrating his adaptability on the line. This capacity to effectively switch roles proved invaluable as team needs dictated frequent adjustments.
In 2022, Onwenu’s versatility was once again put to the test. The Patriots shifted him to right guard for the majority of the season. This strategic move aimed to address immediate team needs and maximize Onwenu’s impact. By the end of the 2022 campaign, though, he returned to his original spot at right tackle, underscoring his flexibility and team-first mentality.
The introduction of Organized Team Activities (OTAs) saw Onwenu resume his role at right tackle, a position that had become synonymous with his early career. During mandatory minicamp, however, Onwenu was once again tasked with a new challenge, shifting back to right guard and holding this position throughout the first practice of training camp.
Head Coach Jerod Mayo articulated the mindset behind these decisions, stating, “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.”
The practice session that followed Mayo’s declaration saw significant changes and experiments in the line-up. Calvin Anderson occupied the right tackle position during a notable practice session, while Chukwuma Okorafor held down the left tackle spot. Sidy Sow played at left guard, with David Andrews anchoring the center position. Meanwhile, Jacoby Brissett took reps, adding a further layer of dynamism to the practice session.
Onwenu, reflecting on his multifaceted role, remarked, “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.” It’s clear that Onwenu embraces the team’s strategy and remains ready to adapt as needed.
His pragmatic approach to positional switches was further emphasized when 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.”
The Patriots’ approach to building a strong, cohesive offensive line involves a significant amount of experimentation and positional interchangeability. Onwenu’s flexibility allows the team to continuously assess and adapt their strategies, ensuring that they can field the best possible combination of players. As Onwenu put 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.”
These practices are a testament to the Patriots' commitment to optimizing their offensive unit, relying on key players like Onwenu who can adjust seamlessly to different roles. This ongoing process aims to not only identify the most effective lineup but also promote a deeper understanding among players of their potential contributions from various positions on the line.
As training camp progresses, the focus remains clear: find the right combination of talent, flexibility, and teamwork to drive the team forward. For Mike Onwenu, this means being ready to step into whatever role is required, a challenge he continues to meet with proficiency and professionalism.