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.