Patriots’ Reported Addition Answers Pivotal Offseason Question

Patriots executive Eliot Wolf admitted it was important to have Mike Onwenu’s role solidified before the start of NFL free agency.

“I think that would be certainly helpful to Mike and helpful to all of us as we develop a strategy moving forward,” the executive vice president of player personnel told reporters at the NFL scouting combine.

It appears Onwenu, who split time at right tackle and right guard the last two seasons, got his answer. The Patriots got theirs, too.

New England on Monday reportedly agreed to terms with right tackle Morgan Moses on a three-year deal worth up to $28.5 million.

The 34-year-old will play the frontside tackle spot and allow Onwenu to slide back inside to right guard. Onwenu’s best season came in 2022 when he played every one of his snaps at right guard, the movement in 2023 and 2024 coinciding with a lesser impact.

“I think, ideally, Mike is a guard,” Wolf said last month.

A Moses-Onwenu pairing on the right side is a big improvement from years past. Moses is as dependable as anyone having started all but six games since 2015. He checks all the boxes the Patriots want under their new regime.

That’s not to say the whole group is solidified.

Questions as to who will protect Drake Maye’s blindside remain. Left tackle was the team’s single-biggest need this offseason. Are there still ways to solve it in free agency? Sure, but they’re dwindling. Left tackle Cam Robinson is viewed as the best tackle available and maybe the only serviceable option left.

Ronnie Stanley (Ravens) and Dan Moore (Titans) are both off the board while the Commanders acquired Laremy Tunsil in a blockbuster trade.

Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel said New England wanted to enter the NFL draft with a ready-made roster. The Patriots didn’t want to go into April’s event needing to address any specific need, Vrabel said. As it currently stands, though, they’re not there yet. If it remains this way, expect the Patriots to target Will Campbell or Armand Membou at fourth overall.

There is still uncertainty at center with veteran David Andrews coming off a season-ending injury and Cole Strange consistently plagued by injuries. There’s no surefire option at left guard either, though incoming sophomore Layden Robinson is the leader in the clubhouse. Those concerns remain.

However, one pivotal question was answered with the reported addition of Moses, especially given what it means for Onwenu.