Onwenu Takes Paycut for 2026

[rkarp1]

Skoronki was slightly worse against the Pass rush last year
Zabel allowed 2 sacks, 4 QB hits, and 18 hurries on 553 pass blocking snaps. That's 1 pressure every 23 snaps Worse than Onwenu.
Lindstrom was WAY worse than Onwenu against the pass rush.
Sam Cosmi was injured a good portion of the year, taking only 545 snaps in total. He had 325 pass blocking snaps. He allowed 2 sacks and 9 hurries. That's 11 pressures on 325 snaps or 1 pressure every 29.5 snaps. Which was slightly worse than Onwenu.
Trey Smith 1 sack, 2 QB Hits, and 1 Hurries on 459 pass blocking snaps. That's 1 pressure every 28.7 snaps.
Quinn Meinerz allowed 2 sacks, 5 QB Hits and 18 hurries on 709 pass blocking snaps. 1 pressure every 28.4 snaps.
Tyler Smith? 3 sacks and 23 hurries on 700 pass blocking snaps. That's 1 pressure every 27 snaps. Worse than Onwenu.

Of the list, only Quentin Nelson and Joe Thuney were better than Onwenu against the Pass rush.

Onwenu's "limited range" is only a factor when asking him to pull for outside runs.

I'm one of Onwenu's biggest supporters and I haven't said he was ELITE. There are only 3 ELITE pass blocking Guards currently. Thuney, Nelson and Damione Lewis. Onwenu is, however, 2nd tier and the top of that tier.

if Onwenu plays lights out this season, he more than likely could be looking at a new deal in that 5-7% of the cap range, based on where other top OG's are being paid.

2026 Offensive Linemen AAV% of Cap Rankings

Listing the top salaries, cap hits, cash, earnings, contracts, and bonuses, for all active 2026 Offensive Linemen players.

www.spotrac.com

 

[Wozzy]

just asking, have you given up on your "Onwenu did not take a $7m pay cut"?

He had no guaranteed money for this year and now he does. You’re not bright.

 

[rkarp1]

He had no guaranteed money for this year and now he does. You’re not bright.

still dancing I see
I applaud your resilience to always being wrong

 

[gobesmug]

I agree. Embarrassing. I think the Pats are still sorting out Wilson at Center, where will Lomu and Campbell play, etc., and with those issues partially resolved in 2026, the Pats will move on from Onwenu and Moses in 2027. With more right side mobility in 2027, the Pats will start introducing some outside zone, screen plays, etc. McDaniels has traditionally run some of these concepts, for example we are used to seeing screen plays multiple times per game. It is all a progression that is taking a bit longer because we are incorporating draft picks at the same time.

Sincere question but have there been reports of Campbell taking any snaps at a position other than LT?

If not then his position is crystal clear.

Lomu taking snaps at LT doesn't mean he is competing for that spot but sounds more like he is getting trained to be the swing tackle this season behind Campbell and Moses.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Sincere question but have there been reports of Campbell taking any snaps at a position other than LT?

If not then his position is crystal clear.

Lomu taking snaps at LT doesn't mean he is competing for that spot but sounds more like he is getting trained to be the swing tackle this season behind Campbell and Moses.

Probably true for this season. I don't think it is crystal clear because Vrabel said the best 5 will start meaning the coaching staff is looking at everything.

 

[gobesmug]

Probably true for this season. I don't think it is crystal clear because Vrabel said the best 5 will start meaning the coaching staff is looking at everything.

Hadn't heard that one. Only heard Vrable and Wolf earlier being very adamant that Campbell is their LT.

Vrable now being a tad more ambiguous is interesting.

Either way, I think the oline has gone from being the weakest unit in the NFL 2 years ago to potentially being one of the best.

Love it.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Either way, I think the oline has gone from being the weakest unit in the NFL 2 years ago to potentially being one of the best.

Love it.

“As far as where he plays, we want to end up with the five best linemen. He’s gonna have the ability to play both sides.”

I agree that the OL is greatly improved. Not one of the best OL in the NFL yet, IMHO. I think Moses and Onwenu will be gone next year and the OL will be a lot more mobile incorporating screens and outside zone. Then the offense will be much more unpredictable and Drake will be in Y4. The management and coaching staff is building towards a three year peak in 2027. It will be fun to watch.

 

[rkarp1]

He had no guaranteed money for this year and now he does. You’re not bright.

still dancing I see
I applaud your resilliance to always being wrong

Hadn't heard that one. Only heard Vrable and Wolf earlier being very adamant that Campbell is their LT.

Vrable now being a tad more ambiguous is interesting.

Either way, I think the oline has gone from being the weakest unit in the NFL 2 years ago to potentially being one of the best.

Love it.

I agree
think about in 2027 both Moses ($9m) and Onwenu (was $25m) most likely gone, taking what, almost $35m off the cap available.
and Lomu is hopefully ready to play a high level RT.
smart roster/cap management imo
Wolf playing chess..... (hopefully)

 

[mayoclinic]

Onwenu is not on the books for 2027.

 

[rkarp1]

Onwenu is not on the books for 2027.

yes I know
but thats still $25m (was) that was on the books that is now off. unless they resign him in FA, which I highly doubt.
and they have a 1st rd pick in Lomu ready to step in next year.

 

[mayoclinic]

No, it's 0 on the books that is still 0 on the books. There is no freeing up of any extra space for 2027.

 

[ahmed]

Isn't net present value of investments related to inflation?

Part of it. Inflation expectation is embedded in the interest rate that determines the discount rate. But it is not the only thing. It also includes some sort of return (otherwise nobody would lend money) + a risk premium.

This is why tapping into future cap is a cheat code. The NFL does not demand any return for it. The only cost is the reduction in future cap that is less valuable than current cap.

But that's a double edged sword. Because there is no immediate cost to borrowing against future cap, you can get drunk on it and waste it.

 

[Spiral]

I hope there's a weight clause in the new contract. I think he'd play better if he was 30 lbs lighter.

 

[WhatJustHappened]

I hope there's a weight clause in the new contract. I think he'd play better if he was 30 lbs lighter.

OL are generally the Fattest guys on the team.
Jus saying...

 

[rkarp1]

as reported, the prior deal did have weight clause incentives. the new deal does not.
we all saw once the players started back at camp, Onwenu would report back not in the best of shape. having the weight incentive was a good decision by the team. ( from outward appearances, it would seen Onwenu did not always cash-in that incentive).

the timing of the new deal would make weight clauses, offseason workouts and incentives moot. Onwenu no longer has any off seasons on his contract.

like many players we all have watched and liked, a good football player is sometimes not in the best scheme for his skill set. that may be the case with Onwenu. Last season, I saw a player playing good to very good over the course of the season, in a scheme most likely not best suited to his strengths. today, Onwenu may not even be the best RG on the team (perhaps Vera-Tucker is), but is one of the 5 best OL on the team. I could easily see a team that favors size and strength over athleticism in their offensive scheme, having a big role for Onwenu. he should have a robust market in free agency. from Detroit, a Michigan alum, I could see him landing with the Lions

 

[mgteich]

yes I know
but thats still $25m (was) that was on the books that is now off. unless they resign him in FA, which I highly doubt.
and they have a 1st rd pick in Lomu ready to step in next year.

OK.

That $25M was never on the books. Onwenu was contractually being paid $17.5M this year (and $0 in 2027) and that has been reduced to $10M in 2026 and $0 in 2027. We will need a RG and a backup RG in 2027.

The fact that Lomu will likely be our RT (him or Campbell) in 2027 says nothing about filling the RG spot and whether Onwenu should be re-signed or replaced.