BREAKING: Patriots Re-Sign Mike Onwenu
FOXBORO — The New England Patriots have solidified the cornerstone of their offensive line.
The Patriots, per NFL Network, are re-signing offensive lineman Mike Onwenu. The deal is reportedly for three years, and $57 million, including $38 million guaranteed.
Onwenu is considered to be New England’s most-valued offensive lineman. The 26-year-old appeared in 15 games in 2023, aligning on 850 offensive snaps: 194 at guard, and 656 at tackle. Overall, Pro Football Focus graded the Michigan product at 71.5, while crediting him with allowing 23 quarterback disruptions, including three sacks. Whether the Patriots pursue their future franchise quarterback in this year’s draft, secure the services of a savvy veteran, or maintain status quo, Onwenu’s presence on the field will play a major role in said “QB1’s” success.
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From a financial standpoint, Onwenu had long been rumored to be in line for a substantial payday, which was expected to see him earn between $17-18 million annually. New England had the option to place the franchise tag on him. In that scenario, he would have receive a fully-guaranteed $20.9 million salary for 2024. The Pats ultimately declined to do so, instead placing the franchise tag on safety Kyle Dugger.
In an added wrinkle, Onwenu appeared content to represent himself during negotiations, after parting ways with his representation last month. Despite the pitfalls of negotiating directly with the player himself, Patriots director of scouting Eliot Wolf remained optimistic that the impact on their business will not be of a negative nature.
“It doesn’t impact us,” he explained during the NFL Scouting Combine. “Mike’s a core player for us. It’s no secret we want to try to keep Mike, and it’ll be just a bit of a wrinkle dealing with him. Mike’s really smart, and he’s introspective, and he’s thoughtful. And he knows what he wants, which is always good when you’re dealing with a player. He’s certainly someone that we view as a cornerstone for us.”
Accordingly, Onwenu will remain in New England to help shape their offensive line for the foreseeable future
