The New England Patriots have had a number of offensive struggles this year. Poor quarterback play has resulted in inopportune turnovers, and an inability to score, receivers are struggling to create separation, and the offensive line has not been able to get any sort of push. With an upcoming cap situation to be very ideal for the upcoming year, a troubling concern is coming out of Foxboro that is leaving fans worried.
New England Patriots Contract Extension Talks
You can’t say that contract talks are stalling, if none have even taken place in the first place. With the latest report from Mike Reiss, Michael Onwenu is engaged in “a waiting game to see how it goes” when it comes to his possible contract extension.
The report indicates that the New England Patriots have not offered any extension, or have even began to hold talks to bring the most recent starting right guard back next year. In what many are seeing is the most important free agent to resign, this is concerning.
At this point, the comments from Mike Onwenu seem to indicate that he is open to a longer term extension, and that he is really waiting for the organization to indicate that they are interested in having him back next year.
New England Patriots Offensive Line
This unit has had injury struggles throughout the year. Constantly needing to find different starting personnel and combinations, Mike Onwenu has provided much needed stability on a unit that has otherwise struggled to protect the quarterback.
Over halfway through the season, Mike Onwenu agreed to play at right tackle, after coming back healthy from a lengthy injury concern. After not playing that position for two years, he provided a semblance of stability at that great position of need.
.His ability to play multiple positions, and showing that he is able to hold his own on the right side of his blocking, it makes it a bit of a head scratcher that talks have not even started.
New England Patriots If He Walks
Without Mike Onwenu next year, the New England Patriots would have to turn to the free agency market, or start a rookie at right tackle for the 2024 campaign. There is not another answer on the roster at that position. With his apparent willingness to rejoin this team next year, here’s hoping that contract talks will be smooth in the upcoming offseason.
With so many question marks heading into next year, just from a roster standpoint, a new signal caller will need any stability and known capable source of line play as possible. This team needs Mike Onwenu playing at right tackle next year.