Onwenu Takes Paycut for 2026

[Wozzy]

This is a lie. If anything, the opposite is closer to the truth. He posted a 78.6 PFF grade at RT over 656 snaps. For comparison, that was substantially higher than his grade at guard that season.

I wonder if hating on our own good players is a Patriot's fan specific thing... or it happens with other winning organizations?

 

[Huckleberry1]

does this mean you believe Onwenu will be here next season? after they cut him $7m this season?

Amendola took pay cuts yearly and kept coming back.

 

[Wozzy]

Amendola took pay cuts yearly and kept coming back.

They might watch Onwenu play really well again and extend him with another deal. This doesn't preclude him from staying. It depends if they want to save some money or decide a player like Campbell would be better suited at guard.

 

[Huckleberry1]

Right - I think we all agree Owenu, even if you think he's been a good RG, wasn't worth a $25 million cap hit - though I suppose the way the old contract was structured, if he doesn't/can't play he doesn't get paid.

Now he's got guaranteed money at a salary that I think is fitting for his skills. Even if he's considered a big "fat" OG, if he has good technique that can make him a big fat immoveable object on the line.

I think the big thing this season is to see how Wilson does at Center, as that can be an anchor or a weak link - and if it's a weak link the guards play suffers and if the guards play suffers the tackles play suffers and thus, the QB suffers.

The jury is still out on Wilson though - if you liked him at LG last year (and I did not) you'll probably LOVE him at Center - but we will see.

If Owenu stays healthy and has a good season he'll do fine in free agency if he doesn't get resigned by the Pats - but I can see them letting him walk next year and moving a younger guy in at RG. (I can also see the potential where Wilson does as well at Center as he did at LG, and we wind up looking to upgrade at C or RG in the draft or elsewhere.

But replacing Owenu next year with a younger, cheaper, more fit player is an option if he has a good season as they will be looking to extend Maye next offseason too and won't be looking to pay a RG anything close to the $25 mil he was costing on the cap this year.

The jump from college ball to the pro's is difficult enough for rookies without having to play a new position. Wilson had his struggles at Guard last season, but like Campbell and Lomu he is a superior athlete who is really young. I expect him to improve upon last years performance and end up being a very good center for them.

 

[40yrpatsfan]

My hunch is Onwenu plans to retire after this season. He’s a smart guy who’ll have banked a lot of money.

 

[rkarp1]

I didn’t give you a number. I said players hate to play the final year of their deals with no guarantees or a safety net. That’s just a fact. It’s actually the subplot of Jerry McGuire.

A similar though not exact situation happened In August 2023, Matt Judon and the Patriots agreed to a revised deal that substantially increased his guaranteed money for that season. The adjustment raised his fully guaranteed salary from $2 million to $14 million for the 2023 season. Additionally, the restructured deal allowed him to earn up to $18 million total for the year through incentives.

This move effectively ended his hold-in, which had seen him skip team drills during the first week of training camp. Despite the financial increase, the contract expiration date remained unchanged, set to conclude after the 2024 season.

many/most players at a contract impasse are eager to go into free agency/open market.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

many/most players at a contract impasse are eager to go into free agency/open market.

Not after their agent calls around and gets very little interest from the other teams. This large of a pay cut broadcasts what the league thinks of Onwenu, and it is the opposite of what a lot of PatsFans posters think. Onwenu is great at holding his ground but great OLmen are mobile, not butt plugs.

 

[Wozzy]

many/most players at a contract impasse are eager to go into free agency/open market.

Almost all 32 teams are at or near their 90 man limit, now is not the optimal time to go looking for a job.

The team, the player and his agent have likely been discussing this one season solution for months and had the basic understanding in place.

The team probably wants to see what they have with their young players before they decide whether to extend him longer, the player and his agent likely want to test the open market after this season. This is a solution that works for both sides.

You said he took a 7.5 million dollar pay cut… you’re clueless.

 

[Huckleberry1]

My hunch is Onwenu plans to retire after this season. He’s a smart guy who’ll have banked a lot of money.

He's only 28, why would he retire? Guards play into their mid 30's.

 

[rkarp1]

Almost all 32 teams are at or near their 90 man limit, now is not the optimal time to go looking for a job.

The team, the player and his agent have likely been discussing this one season solution for months and had the basic understanding in place.

The team probably wants to see what they have with their young players before they decide whether to extend him longer, the player and his agent likely want to test the open market after this season. This is a solution that works for both sides.

You said he took a 7.5 million dollar pay cut… you’re clueless.

how much less did he accept on this new deal?