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New England Patriots right guard Mike Onwenu is approaching a contract year in 2026 with major implications for himself and the team.
Onwenu allowed two sacks and 21 total pressures last season for the Patriots. The Michigan native committed three penalties on the year, but was otherwise a reliable pass-protector for Patriots quarterback Drake Maye, having received a player grade of 78.2 from Pro Football Focus for the season.
The Patriots did a good job of protecting Maye last season, but still allowed the seventh-most sacks in the league with 48.
They have more talent on their offensive line for the 2026 season. New England signed star guard Alijah Vera-Tucker in free agency and selected swing tackles Caleb Lomu and Dametrious Crownover in the draft.
Onwenu will need to play at his best to garner a lucrative new contract from New England or another suitor in the open market next year. The 28-year-old carries a market value of $20.4 million from Spotrac for next year’s free agency.
Only three right guards in the NFL are currently signed to contracts with a higher average annual salary than that.
If Onwenu has a career year or one close to it, the open market figures to be favorable to him in 2027. A departure from New England will task the Patriots with shuffling the deck on the offensive line.
Patriots left tackle Will Campbell will be on the hot seat after his poor performance in the Super Bowl at the end of last season. Campbell was banged up toward the end of last season, which coincided with his play dipping in the postseason. Nevertheless, a slow start to the year in 2026 may prompt Patriots coach Mike Vrabel to entertain moving the Louisiana native to left guard, with Lomu inserted at left tackle, and Vera-Tucker moved to Onwenu’s position at right guard.
Next season will once again come with Super Bowl expectations for the Patriots. Onwenu will have the chance to help protect Maye better and secure a major payday. A change is on the horizon in the event that he signs elsewhere in 2027.
Follow Patriots Wire on Twitter and Facebook.
This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: Major contract year flying under the radar for underrated Patriots OL
Continue reading...
Onwenu allowed two sacks and 21 total pressures last season for the Patriots. The Michigan native committed three penalties on the year, but was otherwise a reliable pass-protector for Patriots quarterback Drake Maye, having received a player grade of 78.2 from Pro Football Focus for the season.
The Patriots did a good job of protecting Maye last season, but still allowed the seventh-most sacks in the league with 48.
They have more talent on their offensive line for the 2026 season. New England signed star guard Alijah Vera-Tucker in free agency and selected swing tackles Caleb Lomu and Dametrious Crownover in the draft.
Onwenu will need to play at his best to garner a lucrative new contract from New England or another suitor in the open market next year. The 28-year-old carries a market value of $20.4 million from Spotrac for next year’s free agency.
Only three right guards in the NFL are currently signed to contracts with a higher average annual salary than that.
If Onwenu has a career year or one close to it, the open market figures to be favorable to him in 2027. A departure from New England will task the Patriots with shuffling the deck on the offensive line.
Patriots left tackle Will Campbell will be on the hot seat after his poor performance in the Super Bowl at the end of last season. Campbell was banged up toward the end of last season, which coincided with his play dipping in the postseason. Nevertheless, a slow start to the year in 2026 may prompt Patriots coach Mike Vrabel to entertain moving the Louisiana native to left guard, with Lomu inserted at left tackle, and Vera-Tucker moved to Onwenu’s position at right guard.
Next season will once again come with Super Bowl expectations for the Patriots. Onwenu will have the chance to help protect Maye better and secure a major payday. A change is on the horizon in the event that he signs elsewhere in 2027.
Follow Patriots Wire on Twitter and Facebook.
This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: Major contract year flying under the radar for underrated Patriots OL
Continue reading...
