Why re-signing Mike Onwenu should be a priority for Patriots originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
The next few months will be busy for the New England Patriots as they retool for the Jerod Mayo era.
Although the NFL Draft is top of mind with the Patriots owning the third overall pick, free agency will be key to building a roster that can bounce back from a putrid 4-13 campaign. Mayo has clearly stated his plan to spend big this spring.
“We’re bringing in talent, 1,000 percent,” Mayo told WEEI’s The Greg Hill Show. “Have a lot of cap space, and cash. Burn some cash.”
In addition to bringing in talent from outside the organization, the Patriots must decide which of their own players to retain. Among their most notable impending free agents are offensive tackle Mike Onwenu, safety Kyle Dugger, and tight end Hunter Henry.
Our Phil Perry believes as part of that cash-burning plan, the Patriots should make re-signing tackle Mike Onwenu a priority. He doubled down on that take during Wednesday’s episode of Arbella Early Edition.
“I think four years, $60ish million, $15 million a year, puts him right in line for what he is,” Perry said of Onwenu. “Jack Conklin recently signed with the Cleveland Browns, really good right tackle, and he gets $15 million a year. That’s the going rate. If you want a starting tackle, if you don’t want to have to completely start fresh at one of the most important positions in the league, you’re gonna have to cough up some money eventually. They should do it with Onwenu.”
Fellow Patriots insider Tom E. Curran agrees with Perry’s point, noting the importance of fixing the offensive line rather than focusing solely on the skill positions.
“I would be stunned and amazed if right now the Patriots are at a point where they’re crossing players off who have been great contributors,” Curran said. “If it’s an Onwenu and his agent conversation where they already established, ‘We’re not going to go back there, we’re going to test the market,’ well, they…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/why-signing-mike-onwenu-priority-023151599.html
Author : NBC Sports Boston
Publish date : 2024-01-25 02:31:51
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