While most of the buzz around New England’s offensive line focuses on rookie standouts like Will Campbell and Jared Wilson, there’s another name who holds just as much weight for the Patriots’ future: Cole Strange 📝 After a disappointing 2024 season in which he played just two games and struggled mightily, Strange enters the final year of his rookie deal with everything to prove. It’s easy to forget that just two years ago, in 2023, he was showing real promise at guard before a season-ending injury derailed his progress. Now fully healthy and back at his natural left guard spot, Strange will need to rediscover his form quickly. With a new coaching regime looking to solidify the trenches, his ability to protect the QB and anchor the run game could decide not only his future in New England, but also the success of a rebuilding Patriots offense. The opportunity is there. Now it’s up to Cole Strange to take it

Cole Strange: A Make-or-Break Year for the Patriots’ Forgotten Guard

In a New England Patriots offseason dominated by buzz around rookie standouts Will Campbell and Jared Wilson, a familiar name re-emerges as a key figure in the team’s plans for the trenches: Cole Strange.

Once a rising star with potential to anchor the offensive line, Strange’s journey has been a rollercoaster. After being selected in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, he showcased flashes of brilliance in 2023, playing a crucial role at left guard. However, his progress was cut short by a season-ending injury that year, setting the stage for a turbulent 2024 campaign.

Last season, Strange appeared in just two games and struggled to find his footing. These struggles, coupled with his health concerns, left many wondering if the promising young lineman had hit his ceiling. Now entering the final year of his rookie contract, Strange faces a pivotal crossroads in his NFL career.

A Clean Slate

The Patriots’ new coaching staff, tasked with rebuilding the offensive line, seems determined to give Strange every opportunity to succeed. Moving him back to his natural position at left guard is a step toward putting him in the best position to thrive. This adjustment could prove vital as Strange seeks to rekindle the form that once made him a cornerstone of the line.

For Strange, the stakes couldn’t be higher. His ability to protect the quarterback and create lanes for the run game will be critical to the team’s offensive identity. With the Patriots’ offense undergoing a significant overhaul, his performance could have a direct impact on the unit’s success in 2025.

The Bigger Picture

The Patriots’ offensive line is under scrutiny, and Strange’s role in its success extends beyond just his individual performance. Protecting young quarterback Drake Maye and establishing a reliable ground game are paramount to the team’s rebuild. Strange’s ability to deliver could solidify his future in New England—or signal the end of his tenure with the Patriots.

If Strange rises to the occasion, he not only secures his spot on the team but also helps set the foundation for the Patriots’ next era of success. On the flip side, another disappointing season could see Strange depart as New England continues to evaluate its long-term pieces.

The Opportunity Ahead

Fully healthy and positioned for redemption, Cole Strange has every opportunity to prove himself in 2025. For the 25-year-old, this season represents a second chance—a chance to fulfill the promise he showed early in his career and rewrite the narrative of his tenure with the Patriots.

The opportunity is there. Now it’s up to Cole Strange to seize it.