The New England Patriots, once a dominant force in the NFL under the leadership of Bill Belichick, are undergoing a significant transformation in 2025. The latest chapter in this overhaul is the reported release of Cole Strange, the team’s controversial first-round pick from the 2022 NFL Draft. This move, as reported by Bolavip, leaves only one player from that draft class still on the Patriots’ roster, marking a near-complete erasure of a draft that was heavily scrutinized at the time. The decision underscores the new direction under head coach Mike Vrabel and highlights the challenges of Belichick’s final years as the team’s general manager.
A Shocking Pick in 2022
When the Patriots selected Cole Strange with the 29th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, the move sent shockwaves through the football world. Strange, an offensive lineman from the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga, was widely projected as a second- or third-round pick. His selection in the first round, especially after the Patriots traded down from the 21st pick to No. 29 in a deal with the Kansas City Chiefs, was met with disbelief and even mockery from some NFL teams. Matt Geagan of Boston’s WBZ noted, “No one understood this pick when the Patriots made it. It even had some teams laughing at the organization.”
Belichick, who served as both head coach and general manager, saw potential in Strange’s athleticism and intelligence, qualities he believed would translate to success in the NFL. However, Strange’s tenure with the Patriots has been anything but smooth, plagued by injuries and inconsistent performance. His release in 2025 is a stark admission that the pick, one of Belichick’s most debated decisions, did not pan out as hoped.
An Injury-Plagued Career
Cole Strange’s NFL career has been defined by promise but hampered by setbacks. In his rookie season of 2022, Strange showed some potential, starting all 17 games at left guard. However, his performance was inconsistent, and he struggled to live up to the expectations of a first-round selection. Injuries further derailed his progress. In 2023, he was limited to just 10 games, and in 2024, he appeared in only three due to recurring injuries. When on the field, Strange often struggled, with some analysts describing him as a “turnstile” in pass protection.
The 2025 season was a critical one for Strange, as he faced competition for his starting left guard position. Under new head coach Mike Vrabel, the Patriots shifted their offensive line strategy. Second-year lineman Caedan Wallace, a 2024 third-round pick out of Penn State, emerged as a strong contender for the starting role. Originally drafted as a tackle, Wallace transitioned to left guard and outperformed Strange during training camp. Meanwhile, Strange was demoted to backup center, a position where he had limited experience and faced stiff competition from free agent Garrett Bradbury, 2024 signee Ben Brown, and rookie Jared Wilson.
The Patriots’ decision to decline Strange’s fifth-year option in April 2025 was an early sign that his time with the team was nearing an end. His demotion to a backup role and eventual release cemented his status as one of Belichick’s most significant draft missteps.
The 2022 Draft Class: A Near-Total Washout
The release of Cole Strange leaves just one player from the Patriots’ 2022 draft class on the active roster, a damning reflection of Belichick’s draft decisions in his final years with the team. The 2022 draft was already considered one of the weakest in Belichick’s tenure, with Strange’s selection epitomizing the questionable choices made. Other notable picks from that class, such as second-round wide receiver Tyquan Thornton and third-round cornerback Marcus Jones, have either been traded, released, or failed to make a significant impact. The lone remaining player from the class is not explicitly named in recent reports, but their survival highlights the scarcity of success from that draft.
This near-total wipeout of the 2022 draft class is part of a broader reckoning for the Patriots. After Belichick’s departure following the 2023 season, owner Robert Kraft and the new regime, led by Vrabel and executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf, have prioritized rebuilding the roster with younger, more reliable talent. The team’s focus has shifted to players like 2025 first-round pick Will Campbell and returning veterans such as Drake Maye, Christian Gonzalez, and Jabrill Peppers, who are seen as the foundation for the future.
A New Era Under Mike Vrabel
Mike Vrabel’s appointment as head coach marks a clear departure from the Belichick era. Vrabel, a former Patriots linebacker and Super Bowl champion, has emphasized building a roster around players who fit his vision of toughness, versatility, and reliability. His decision to move on from Strange and other Belichick-era holdovers signals a commitment to erasing past mistakes and focusing on a new identity for the franchise.
During training camp, Vrabel’s staff made strategic adjustments to the offensive line, with players like Will Campbell at left tackle and offseason signee Morgan Moses at right tackle solidifying the unit. The emergence of Caedan Wallace and Jared Wilson at guard and center, respectively, further diminished Strange’s role. Vrabel’s comments on WEEI on August 25, 2025, underscored his philosophy: “We want to try to build something with players, build around them.” Strange, unfortunately, did not fit into this plan.
The Bigger Picture: Belichick’s Legacy and the Patriots’ Future
The release of Cole Strange is not just a personnel decision but a symbolic moment in the Patriots’ transition. Bill Belichick’s 24-year tenure with the team was defined by unprecedented success, including six Super Bowl titles and nine appearances. However, his final years were marred by questionable draft choices and a failure to replenish the roster with impact players after Tom Brady’s departure in 2020. Strange’s selection, along with other misfires in the 2022 draft, contributed to the narrative that Belichick’s dual role as coach and general manager became a liability.
As the Patriots prepare for the 2025 regular season, with their opener against the Las Vegas Raiders on September 7, the focus is on a new generation of players. Rookie quarterback Drake Maye, who has drawn praise from Patriots legend Vince Wilfork, and a revamped offensive line led by Will Campbell are central to Vrabel’s vision. The team’s preseason performance, including a 20-12 win over the Vikings and a 42-10 loss to the Giants, showed glimpses of potential but also highlighted areas for improvement.
Conclusion
Cole Strange’s release is the latest chapter in the Patriots’ roster reckoning, a process that has seen the team move on from nearly all of its 2022 draft class. Once heralded as a potential cornerstone of the offensive line, Strange’s injury-plagued career and inability to secure a starting role under Mike Vrabel made his departure inevitable. As the Patriots forge a new path, the ghosts of Belichick’s draft decisions linger, but the focus is firmly on building a roster capable of returning the franchise to its winning ways. With only one player remaining from the 2022 draft, the Patriots are closing the book on a disappointing chapter and looking ahead to a brighter future.