Onwenu Takes Paycut for 2026

[Hugepatsfan]

Good for player and team. At this stage of the offseason, long-term money probably isn't out there for him so not sure he'd beat this. He gets to stay where he's comfortable in his contract year. The extra $7.5M will help us get through the season and possibly accommodate an AJ Brown deal.

 

[RxJock1120]

This is a nice development and pretty smart from Onwenu's perspective. He was a top cut candidate of mine, not because he is bad (far from it) but he is getting paid like a top guard that his performance does not match. If he got cut, other would not come close to paying what the Pats were.

Also creates more cap for for the team, now let's go get AJB and Josh Sweat

 

[sb1]

Nice. Win-win I think

 

[slash83]

Good for player and team. At this stage of the offseason, long-term money probably isn't out there for him so not sure he'd beat this. He gets to stay where he's comfortable in his contract year. The extra $7.5M will help us get through the season and possibly accommodate an AJ Brown deal.

Better it be for extending Gonzo.

 

[DCore]

Good move for '26. Patriots should also consider getting creative with Onwenu longterm - he is only 28 and likely cheaper this time around to sign for another 3 years. His flexibility is valuable, why not have him replace Moses, especially if Campbell has to move inside. Lomu and Onwenu could probably provide league average tackle play by '27, and we would have 2 potential all pro guards.

 

[Froob]

Huh...makes me wonder if cut/trade was on the table otherwise. Wish they added years for big Mik.

Reading tea leaves...Mike probably isn't here long term. Perhaps Campbell LG, AVT RG

 

[ScottishPatriots]

I always thought his number meant he was a chance of being gone, i think this just means they've made sure the o-line isn't a complete disaster this year by keeping him on a reduced number but this will be his last one as a Patriot.

Guards are too easy to find compared to other premium positions to continue paying one nearly 20m a year for 3 years, the Patriots have not had a problem finding average guard play down the years, i think you can find good guards consistently in the 4th and 5th rounds.

 

[Ross12]

This actually really surprises me. I saw this as a possibility but I didn't expect Onwenu would actually go for it. This is very good work from the front office.

They will get a nice chunk of cap savings, keep a player who was already in their plans, but not have to commit to him long term. He gets some security this year but will still get to test his free agent market in 2027. The team will also get to explore the free agent market if any better options come up, or will be able to pivot to a younger cheaper player if one proves themselves during the course of this season.

They could draft one next year, though that might be tough with Wilson still being relatively inexperienced and Lomu probably being the new RT at that point. So, a signing in 2027 still makes the most sense to me - that might still be Onwenu coming back, or a different veteran FA. But for 2026 this is a great compromise.

 

[Mike the Brit]

I was disappointed that they cut Stefon Diggs because (or so I read) he refused to adjust his salary. My reaction was: well, what about Onwenu? This is welcome news.

 

[ScottishPatriots]

This actually really surprises me. I saw this as a possibility but I didn't expect Onwenu would actually go for it. This is very good work from the front office.

They will get a nice chunk of cap savings, keep a player who was already in their plans, but not have to commit to him long term. He gets some security this year but will still get to test his free agent market in 2027. The team will also get to explore the free agent market if any better options come up, or will be able to pivot to a younger cheaper player if one proves themselves during the course of this season.

They could draft one next year, though that might be tough with Wilson still being relatively inexperienced and Lomu probably being the new RT at that point. So, a signing in 2027 still makes the most sense to me - that might still be Onwenu coming back, or maybe a different veteran FA. But for 2026 this is a great compromise.

If they're going to pay Gonzalez, Maye and AJ Brown that guard spot is going to be taken by someone earning 5-6m a year tops, ideally a draft pick outside the top 3 rounds.

You know Vrabel is going to want to pay one or two guys on the DL line too so they're going to have to start moving a few of these guys like Onwenu, Spillane, Barmore, Davis who are on north of 10m a year and not really superstars, these contracts coming basically tell you we're going to be moving to a more 5/6 stars making all the money and a young cheap labor to pay for it all rather than the more balanced roster money wise now.

Maye, Gonzalez, Milton are the current 3 foundational pieces.

 

[BobDigital]

Best guess? Pressure was applied and they basically said they will not keep him at his number. Maybe they floated out a long term deal that was turned down. I don't think it was done just for security. They have until week 1 until the money locks in, and even if an injury happens in training cap, they don't end up paying much. Now they have a year to work on a long term deal.

 

[Rob0729]

It isn't a pay cut. It is a salary tweak to reduce his cap charge for this season. He gets a new dummy year where he gets money paid up front and the Pats get cap relief. In fact I think he is actually getting more money this year since his base salary goes from $7.5 million to $2.95 million, but he is also getting a $6 million bonus.

You gotta assume this was done to do the AJ Brown trade, although I don't think they need the cap space. It also could be for Gonzalez.

 

[Brotherblues]

He could have said no. Could have told them to pay up or cut him.

I like that he likes his situation enough to choose this instead. Win-win.

 

[Ross12]

If they're going to pay Gonzalez, Maye and AJ Brown that guard spot is going to be taken by someone earning 5-6m a year tops, ideally a draft pick outside the top 3 rounds.

You know Vrabel is going to want to pay one or two guys on the DL line too so they're going to have to start moving a few of these guys like Onwenu, Spillane, Barmore, Davis who are on north of 10m a year and not really superstars, these contracts coming basically tell you we're going to be moving to a more 5/6 stars making all the money and a young cheap labor to pay for it all rather than the more balanced roster money wise now.

Maye, Gonzalez, Milton are the current 3 foundational pieces.

I hear what you're saying, but I'd still see them signing a stopgap older veteran guard while developing a drafted guard for a year or two at a lower dollar figure first, rather than drafting another kid and making him a starter. Having Campbell, Wilson, Lomu and one of the guards all starters and all on rookie deals feels like risky business, especially when average starting guards are not very expensive.

 

[BennyBledsoe]

Onwenu was never a BAD player. He's a good player. BUT he's on a bad contract where his play has outsized expectations attached. Reminds me of how I felt about guys like Light and Solder. They got paid like they were Orlando Pace when they were just good players. But their contracts put a target on their play.

 

[DaBruinz]

This is a nice development and pretty smart from Onwenu's perspective. He was a top cut candidate of mine, not because he is bad (far from it) but he is getting paid like a top guard that his performance does not match. If he got cut, other would not come close to paying what the Pats were.

Also creates more cap for for the team, now let's go get AJB and Josh Sweat

You clearly haven't bothered to check his stats. The claims that he's not performing like a top guard are false. If he got cut, he'd have signed within the week for as much or more than his current contract.

As I pointed out below, only 3 guys performed better last year in pass protection than Onwenu. Only 1 of them is paid better than Onwenu.

Onwenu was one of the better run blockers in the league. as well.

Post in thread 'I suspect that 12 positions are truly up for grabs.'

May 3, 2026

Looked at his contract again and it's insane. $21 and $25 million last year and this year.

Trey Smith is averaging $24 million and hes one of the top guards. Owenu got that tackle money. If he asks for more money...he needs a big time salary hair cut. Hope his agent is being honest with him

His contract isn't insane at all. Onwenu is one of the top 10 guards in the league. No. Onwenu did NOT get tackle money. I debunked that BS when it happened. Onwenu's contract made him that 3rd highest paid guard at the time he signed it. There are now 8 guards ahead of Onwenu. Trey...

• DaBruinz

 

[Ross12]

It isn't a pay cut. It is a salary tweak to reduce his cap charge for this season. He gets a new dummy year where he gets money paid up front and the Pats get cap relief. In fact I think he is actually getting more money this year since his base salary goes from $7.5 million to $2.95 million, but he is also getting a $6 million bonus.

I don't think that is correct. IIRC, his salary was previously something like $16M this year. Now it is $3M. Even with a $6M bonus added on top, that is still a big pay cut.

 

[PatsFan2]

I don't think that is correct. IIRC, his salary was previously something like $16M this year. Now it is $3M. Even with a $6M bonus added on top, that is still a big pay cut.

The only poison pill contract we have currently is Harold Landry... I wish we could cut bait this season. I have a feeling he'll end up on IR.

 

[Wozzy]

Guaranteed money is more important than a salary that hasn’t been paid yet and could disappear the moment they cut you.

 

[Wozzy]

The only poison pill contract we have currently is Harold Landry... I wish we could cut bait this season. I have a feeling he'll end up on IR.

Huh? He led the team in sacks, he was the best OLB on the team. He was headed towards a Pro Bowl season prior to his injury, his leg got folded in half and still didn’t end up on IR.

You have to pay your best players, they won’t play for free.