Set at LT, LG and C

[mgteich]

Remember you said that next time he doesn't get out on a screen, or ends up standing around while everyone else is blocking someone.

Yes, there has miscommunication on this OL.
===========
The open question is Onwenu's level of play as we go into the second half and how the staff rates him for the future.

I could see him
---------------
cut or traded
restructured (add a year or two with a large option just to get more cap room)
extended
simply play out his contract in 2026 and make a decision after the 2026 season

The good thing is that there is no need to rush to act until the end of the 2026 season.

 

[TommyD4207]

Yes, there has miscommunication on this OL.
===========
The open question is Onwenu's level of play as we go into the second half and how the staff rates him for the future.

I could see him
---------------
cut or traded
restructured (add a year or two with a large option just to get more cap room)
extended
simply play out his contract in 2026 and make a decision after the 2026 season

The good thing is that there is no need to rush to act until the end of the 2026 season.

I mean, it's 20 million dollars you could spend on somebody else. Or two somebody elses.

 

[Real fan 02]

Remember you said that next time he doesn't get out on a screen, or ends up standing around while everyone else is blocking someone.

By no means am I saying he's perfect no OL is. Just simply saying he's played well and finally able to earn his $$$...

 

[Real fan 02]

I disagree. Onwenu is NOT playing at a pro bowl level. Who is rating him as one of the very best RG's in the NFL?

I see no reason to overstate the situation. Onwenu is playing well enough to be one of our 5 competent starting OL's, something not even dreamed as possible when we entered the off-season.

I expect Onwenu to be extended unless we can find an even better starting RG in free agency. There is no pressure to act since Onwenu is under contract for 2026.

Ok, that's your opinion and your entitled to it.

PFF will say your wrong.

Or, Unless PFF only matters when players don't play well? Mike Onwenu | New England Patriots G | NFL and PFF stats

 

[mgteich]

I mean, it's 20 million dollars you could spend on somebody else. Or two somebody elses.

It's $17M.

I agree that Vrabel will replace Onwenu if he and staff believes that they have found someone who is better and ready to sign for similar money.

It is a matter of evaluating Onwenu. I trust Vrabel and the staff to be able to do that.

 

[PatriotSpy]

All I can say is Jake slaughter in the 3rd round would be a wise investment.

 

[Real fan 02]

DL
starters: Barmore, Tonga, Williams
backups: Farmer, Durden, Gregory
starters are all set
backups need upgrades (as is usually the case; that is normal turnover)

WR
We certainly are NOT all set.
We need to add a #1 for 2026.

RB
I would look for an upgrade to Stevenson, but our trio is good enough even for a playoff team.

TOP PRIORITIES
#1 WR
S, EDGE, LB, TE

This is why I'm saying there will be a top tier WR available for trade.. DJ Moore, AJ Brown...

I'm not holding my breath for us to draft one. I like K. Williams and feel he could develop into a threat on the outside. However FA/trade is the likely route.

Don't forget about Ponder who's also in the rotation at DL.. question for you? Is white a LB or DE?

 

[Real fan 02]

Its obviously hard to judge a player until you see him in real action. Then in this case it's a little extra hard because we kept our starting 5 and then basically cut everyone else in between those 5 and the rookie 7th rounder including moving Bryant's main competition to guard.

It might be entirely unfair to Bryant and Wallace to assume they didn't win their spots but it's hard not to feel the others lost it more than they won it.

I think in this case the chicken and the egg conundrum would be overcome just by making the roster for a second year.

I'm not complaining. We have been **** on the OL for last 3 seasons. We now have competency on the OL.. as a result of the OL we are able to execute on offense.

And some posters will say "yeah but it's the Panthers " we couldn't do anything against any opponent last season. That rock bottom game against the chargers had to be the cumulative decision to fire mayo.

 

[mgteich]

Ok, that's your opinion and your entitled to it.

PFF will say your wrong.

Or, Unless PFF only matters when players don't play well? Mike Onwenu | New England Patriots G | NFL and PFF stats

???
My opinion, as stated, is that Onwenu is not playing at a pro-bowl level.
PFF has Onwenu as the 17th best OG after 4 games.

 

[TommyD4207]

Ok, that's your opinion and your entitled to it.

PFF will say your wrong.

Or, Unless PFF only matters when players don't play well? Mike Onwenu | New England Patriots G | NFL and PFF stats

PFF grading is usually subjective and wrong when it comes to line play on either side. They don't really know what they're doing.

PFF is great for aggregating stats. Using anything else from them is pretty worthless.

 

[Real fan 02]

PFF grading is usually subjective and wrong when it comes to line play on either side. They don't really know what they're doing.

PFF is great for aggregating stats. Using anything else from them is pretty worthless.

I respect that. As a fan I'm just happy to at least have functional OL play and and actually have an offense. I think about all the horrible OL play last few seasons..

 

[Real fan 02]

???
My opinion, as stated, is that Onwenu is not playing at a pro-bowl level.
PFF has Onwenu as the 17th best OG after 4 games.

How many starting G in the NFL? Well RG, 32.

 

[TommyD4207]

I respect that. As a fan I'm just happy to at least have functional OL play and and actually have an offense. I think about all the horrible OL play last few seasons..

Put it this way, on this functional, representative NFL offensive line, Onwenu is tied with Morgan Moses for 'the worst one', and considering he's making twice what Morgan is, and isn't also taking on the mentor role Moses is, I'd say he's the worst.

 

[Real fan 02]

Put it this way, on this functional, representative NFL offensive line, Onwenu is tied with Morgan Moses for 'the worst one', and considering he's making twice what Morgan is, and isn't also taking on the mentor role Moses is, I'd say he's the worst.

Interesting points. Ownenu like Dugger got the wolf contract and the team is likely waiting for his contract to come off the books or possibly he does a restructuring. But I guess being competent is better than being ranked 32nd...

 

[DoubleDeluxe]

I think you’re confused about the problem with teams that draft for need year after year usually being the worst teams in the league.

It’s not drafting for need that’s their problem.

Their problem is not hitting on those picks.

And having too many needs.

I don’t think we’re talking about either of those situations here.

The premise is the same.
Team A really needs a OG, and takes one a little earlier than they should've gone.
Maybe that OG is a decent player, but they passed up a superior Edge rusher that goes on to be a multiple pro-bowl player...etc.
Teams that routinely do that don't have long term success, it's been proven time and time again.

In regards to our situation. The interior OL has been playing well for the most part and we could easily ride with the same 5 next year, but that certainly doesn't preclude us from upgrading through FA or the draft.

 

[TommyD4207]

Interesting points. Ownenu like Dugger got the wolf contract and the team is likely waiting for his contract to come off the books or possibly he does a restructuring. But I guess being competent is better than being ranked 32nd...

And I'll remind you, Onwenu was on that 32nd ranked offensive line last year.

 

[Real fan 02]

And I'll remind you, Onwenu was on that 32nd ranked offensive line last year.

Oh I agree with you Tommy.. I'm just stating I'll take this version as opposed to where we were last season..

 

[mgteich]

How many starting G in the NFL? Well RG, 32.

I apologize. I missed your point. Please clarify.

Are you saying that 17th best is pro-bowl quality play.
==========
your previous post as a reminder

"Owenu has returned to form. He's back playing to a pro bowl level. He's one of the best G in the game and people need to put some respect on his name. We have 5 competent OL that have all played soundly. Sometimes people need to be reminded of just how bad the OL was last season."
============
I agree that Onwenu is a better than average starting RG.

I agree with others that he has to be better than that to expect to be extended or to be paid $17M for 2026.

I agree that having 5 competent OL's is truly awesome, especially when we remember how bad the OL was last season.

 

[signbabybrady]

I mean, it's 20 million dollars you could spend on somebody else. Or two somebody elses.

He cost 20 mil? How much would we save? And what's the replacement cost?

After all that accounting is the savings still the worth it and how much better of a player do we get (be shame to get if wrong and get someone worse)?

He's overpaid but it might just be one of those things worth restructuring or just playing out the walk year.

 

[JoeSixPat]

These guys are doing great - especially Campbell. Injuries always make me want more quality depth at OL as the entire offense depends on them - but we have Campbell in a great rookie contract, and that frees up some significant cash to spend elsewhere over the next few years.

What's kindof funny is if you think about it maybe it was lucky that we didn't get the number one pick as we'd likely have traded back to pick up an extra pick and might have lost Campbell to the Jets who went with a disappointing Membou - and wound up with a disappointing Membou instead.

Josh Simmons has been great for KC as well - going in and playing at a high level against some of the best teams too - but I doubt the Pats would have picked him given his injury history.

So maybe Mayo and Milton wound up doing us a favor!