Entering the final year of his rookie contract, the former first-round draft pick is under pressure to perform.
Cole Strange began his career with the New England Patriots in expected fashion. One of the more surprising first-round selections in the 2022 NFL Draft, the 29th overall pick earned a starting spot at left guard right out of the gate.
While there were some natural growing pains, Strange’s arrow appeared to be pointing up. Then, amidst coaching changes and injury issues, his outlook changed.
Heading into 2025 — the final year of his rookie contract — he now finds himself in an uncertain situation. Given his draft status, he also is under quite a bit of pressure in the public eye: frankly, Strange has not been able to live up to his first-round status three years into his career.
However, the 26-year-old is not worried about anything other than his own performance.
“All I can really do is control what I can control, and pray to God I don’t have any more injuries,” Strange told reporters following Monday’s OTA session at Gillette Stadium. “As long as that takes care of itself, I’ll handle what I can handle. I’m not really worried about anybody’s opinion.”
A 17-game starter as a rookie, Strange had his early sophomore year disrupted by a nagging knee injury. He did manage to add 10 more starts to his tally and began playing the best football of his career midway through 2023, but suffered a major knee injury in a December game against Kansas City.
Tearing the patellar tendon in his right knee, he had to undergo a one-year recovery process. It was not until the following December that he managed to return to the field — something he admitted he was pushing for.
Why? To start shaking the rust.
“It was good just to get back in some sort of rhythm playing football,” he explained. “December ‘23 pretty much to November, December of ‘24, no football for me. Whenever you hadn’t done something for a year, you just get rusty. Just being able to get back out there, get some practice reps, playing the game, see that speed, I think it was good to shock me back into it.”
When Strange did return it was under an entirely new offensive coaching staff for a third straight year, and in a new position. Head coach Jerod Mayo and offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt moved him to center, where he started the final two games of his 2024 campaign.
Now preparing for the 2025 season and with yet more off-field changes — Mayo and Van Pelt were replaced by Mike Vrabel and Josh McDaniels, respectively — he has returned to left guard. During the organized team activities open to the media, he and veteran free agency addition Wes Schweitzer seemingly look like the frontrunners for the starting job.
Strange, however, has also seen action at right guard and still offers some experience at center. According to his new head coach, this positional flexibility is an asset for the fourth-year man.
“Cole’s working extremely hard,” Mike Vrabel said. “The versatility that he’ll be able to display is something that will be critical.”
Strange also has no reservations about moving around, as long as it allows him to earn some playing time.
“Really wherever they put me. I’m just trying to be as versatile as I can, add value wherever I can, and just get on the field.”