Cole Strange returned from a torn patellar tendon that kept him out for most of 2024. He started the final two games at center over Ben Brown, recording a 79.0 PFF pass blocking grade in 117 snaps. The 2025 offseason brought a new staff and additions including Garrett Bradbury and Jared Wilson, both centers by trade, while Strange's NFL experience was primarily at guard. Reports showed Jared Wilson working at left guard with the first unit, and when Wilson was injured Ben Brown replaced him rather than Strange. The team also worked on moving Caedan Wallace inside to guard, and Strange finished the preseason with a 47.4 PFF grade, ranking 19th worst among qualifying guards; 162 other guards qualified to be ranked. Projected interior spots currently include Mike Onwenu, Bradbury, Wilson, Brown, and Wallace, leaving limited space for Strange.
Fans thought Cole Strange could be something of a revelation to their offensive line when he came back to the lineup after a torn patellar tendon kept him out for most of 2024. While he had been far from elite in his career, there was little doubt he was better than other offensive linemen the Patriots featured: Demontrey Jacobs, Ben Brown, Vederian Lowe... the list goes on.
As the offseason moved on, reports started circulating that Jared Wilson, drafted to play center, was playing with the first team offensive line at practice -- at left guard. When he went down with an injury, 2024 center Ben Brown replaced him, not Cole Strange. What we saw in the first preseason game was most concerning for the former Moc: the team rolled out its first-team line, and he wasn't there.
Collection
[
|
...
]