Patriots’ Cole Strange Faces Contract Year After Injury Setbacks
The New England Patriots have opted not to exercise the fifth-year option on 2022 first-round pick Cole Strange, signaling that the 26-year-old offensive lineman will enter the final year of his rookie contract in the upcoming 2025 NFL season. This decision, reported by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, is not unexpected given Strange’s injury struggles.
Strange, a surprise pick at 29th overall from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, started every game as a left guard in 2022. However, his career faced a significant setback in 2023 when he suffered a torn patellar tendon after just 10 games. He managed to return to the field only in the final weeks of the 2024 season, participating in three games and starting two at center due to injuries on the offensive line.
Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel expressed optimism about Strange’s potential to compete at center based on his late-season performance. However, his starting role is far from assured, especially with the Patriots drafting Georgia center Jared Wilson in the third round and signing veteran Garrett Bradbury. As competition ramps up, Strange will also vie for the left guard position alongside players like Layden Robinson and Sidy Sow.
Patriots executive vice president of player personnel, Eliot Wolf, emphasized the team’s focus on versatility, stating, “We see versatility as the name of the game here.” With his experience at both guard and center, Strange aims to solidify his place on the team amid heightened competition. As 2025 approaches, the Patriots and Strange’s trajectories are closely intertwined, setting the stage for an intriguing season ahead.
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