Cole Strange of the New England Patriots blocks against the Los Angeles Chargers
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Cole Strange of the New England Patriots blocks against the Los Angeles Chargers
The New England Patriots have looked impressive through their first two preseason appearances under new head coach Mike Vrabel. One of the reasons this team has looked better on the offensive side of the ball has been the offensive line additions of Will Campbell, Jared Wilson, and Garrett Bradbury.
This makes one Patriots veteran a potential cut candidate entering the 2025 NFL season.
Patriots OG Cole Strange Named a Cut Candidate by CBS Sports
The New England Patriots retooling of the offensive line was necessary entering the second season of QB Drake Maye under center. Well, Jeff Kerr of CBS Sports believes Cole Strange could be on the chopping block ahead of the 2025 NFL season with the emergence of Will Campbell, Jared Wilson, and Garrett Bradbury early throughout the preseason.
Kerr wrote, “Strange is one of the last remaining picks of the Bill Belichick era, and his career in New England hasn’t gone well to this point. He was the favorite to win the starting left guard job entering camp, but Jared Wilson has overtaken him for that role.”
The majority of the Patriots interior offensive line struggled throughout the 2024 NFL season, which made it a point of emphasis by the front office to address in a meaningful way this offseason. The plethora of additions suggested that no one’s role at guard or center was particularly safe, which could include Strange.
Kerr added, “Injuries have affected Strange’s career in the NFL, but he has fallen out of favor there. The Patriots have already declined his fifth-year option. He’s been sliding down the depth chart and the Patriots seem to have no defined role for the former first-round pick.”
Injuries playing a role in the Patriots potentially considering other options at the position put Strange in a… strange position entering the 2025 NFL season.
Strange showed some promising signs early in his career, but was still benched at points throughout his rookie year. Since then, Strange’s injuries have played a role with his limited availability and inconsistent development.
Could Cole Strange Remain on the Roster if He Doesn’t Secure a Starting Role?
The Patriots offensive line competition has felt wide open entering the preseason but could be taking shape with Will Campbell, Jared Wilson, Garrett Bradbury, Mike Onwenu, and Morgan Moses projecting as the starting five up front for Week 1 of the 2025 NFL season.
This would leave Strange as the odd man out but doesn’t necessarily mean he is automatically going to be cut ahead of the season.
One Patriots Insider, Alex Barth of 98.5 The Sports Hub, actually sees the team holding onto Strange.
Barth wrote, “Yes, 10 offensive linemen is a lot. But with just a handful of competitive practices to go, the Patriots look to still be figuring out starters at both left guard and center. It’s possible those battles could continue into the regular season,”
The fall from grace for a once promising prospect feels like an indictment on Strange, but it is possible the other additions along the offensive line could simply make this unit better than many expect this season.
If the Patriots fix the offensive line issues that plagued them the majority of last year, then this could accelerate Drake Maye’s development in year two under center.