Patriots Make Key Roster Decision On First-Round Lineman

For the second straight year, the Patriots turned down a fifth-year option for a previous first round pick.

New England reportedly will not pick up the fifth-year option on offensive lineman Cole Strange, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported Wednesday.

The Patriots made the surprising pick with Strange late in the first round in 2022. He spent most of his time at left guard in the 30 games he’s played with New England across the first three seasons of his NFL career. Injuries have cost him 21 games so far and the offensive line as a whole struggled mightily as a major issue for Jerod Mayo’s team in 2024.

The Chattanooga product played just 13 games over the last two seasons and hopes to solidify the left side of the Patriots line alongside new offensive tackle and 2025 No. 4 overall pick Will Campbell.