In a stunning turn of events, Cole Strange, the New England Patriots’ former first-round draft pick, finds himself teetering on the edge of an unexpected roster cut as the 2025 season approaches. Once heralded as a cornerstone of the Patriots’ offensive line under legendary coach Bill Belichick, Strange’s tenure with the team now hangs by a thread, with recent developments painting a grim picture of his future in New England.
Selected 29th overall in the 2022 NFL Draft, Strange’s selection raised eyebrows across the league. Many analysts labeled the pick a reach, questioning whether the undersized guard from Chattanooga could live up to the expectations of a first-round selection. Despite the skepticism, Strange showed promise in his rookie season, starting all 17 games and providing stability to a Patriots offensive line in transition. His physicality and work ethic seemed to validate Belichick’s gamble, offering hope that he could anchor the line for years to come.
However, Strange’s trajectory took a devastating turn in late 2023 when he suffered a torn patellar tendon, a significant injury that sidelined him for the remainder of the season. The injury’s impact lingered into 2024, forcing Strange to begin the season on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. His eventual return was limited to just three games, as he struggled to regain his pre-injury form. The lack of game time and lingering effects of the injury raised questions about his durability and long-term fit with the team.
Fast forward to the 2025 training camp, and Strange’s hold on a roster spot has weakened further. The emergence of rookie Jared Wilson, a versatile lineman initially drafted as a center, has shifted the dynamics of the Patriots’ offensive line. Wilson has impressed coaches with his adaptability, particularly at left guard—Strange’s former position—where he has taken the majority of first-team snaps. According to Phil Perry of NBC Sports Boston, Strange has been relegated to second-team center duties, a move prompted by an injury to starter Garrett Bradbury. However, with Bradbury’s expected return, Strange is projected to slide further down the depth chart, potentially to third-string center.
The competition for roster spots is fierce, with established starters like Mike Onwenu and Morgan Moses locked into their roles and depth players like Ben Brown and Sidy Sow offering positional flexibility. This versatility has become a critical factor in roster decisions, and Strange’s limited role as a backup center does little to justify his place on the 53-man roster. Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald, in his latest roster projection, notably omitted Strange, citing his precipitous slide and the team’s preference for more adaptable linemen.
Sara Marshall of Musket Fire encapsulated the sentiment surrounding Strange’s situation, stating bluntly, “It’s not looking good for Cole Strange to make the Patriots’ 2025 roster.” The statement reflects a growing consensus that Strange’s time in New England may be nearing its end, a far cry from the optimism that once surrounded his arrival.
For a player drafted well ahead of projections, the possibility of being released just three years into his NFL career is a bitter pill to swallow. Strange’s journey—from a surprise first-round pick to a promising rookie starter to an injury-plagued afterthought—serves as a stark reminder of the NFL’s unforgiving nature. With roster cuts looming in the coming weeks, Strange faces a critical juncture. A release would mark a heartbreaking conclusion to a Patriots tenure that never fully materialized, leaving the former top pick to ponder what might have been as he searches for a new opportunity elsewhere.