The day has finally come for New England Patriots fans as their team commences training camp. After overhauling the roster and coaching staff for Mike Vrabel's first season coaching in Foxborough, expectations are that this Patriots team will have a chance to compete for a playoff spot in 2025. The team has gone 8-26 with two different head coaches over the past two seasons, but many believe that Vrabel can lead this young team back to the top of the AFC East.
That mission starts now, in late July. Training camp will set the tone for the rest of the season, as preparation, execution, and effort will be prioritized. For some players like Stefon Diggs and Milton Williams, it's a chance to become familiar with schemes, new teammates, and coaches ahead of Week 1. For others like Efton Chism III, training camp is used as a platform to earn a spot on the 53-man roster.
For Patriots guard Cole Strange, training camp can be looked at as a fresh start. After three disappointing seasons in New England since being a first-round selection back in 2022, Strange is among the Patriots who have the most to prove in 2025.
Back in his intended position at left guard and entering the final year of his rookie contract, Strange can get off on the right foot with strong performances over the course of the next month.
Cole Strange Entering Most Important Training Camp of Patriots Career
Under Bill Belichick's rule, the Patriots drafted Strange with their first-round selection (No. 29) back in 2022. It was looked at as a confusing selection three years ago, and it still is now. Coming out of Chattanooga, Strange wasn't projected to be anywhere close to a first-round talent, but rather a third or fourth-round player. The Patriots had a need at guard after losing Joe Thuney and Ted Karras, but nobody projected Strange to be the answer, especially in the first round.
Strange started all 17 games at left guard for the team during his rookie season, but dealt with injuries during his 2023 and 2024 campaigns. Over his first three seasons, Strange has made 29 starts at both left guard and center for the Patriots.
Now, he heads into this training camp with a chip on his shoulder. After missing 14 games last season due to injury, Strange returns to his left guard position after suiting up at center for New England in the three games he played in 2024. The team bringing in centers Garrett Bradbury and Jared Wilson allows Strange to return to his desired position, with a much-improved tackle beside him in Will Campbell.
Earlier this offseason, the Patriots declined Strange's fifth-year option, meaning that he will become an unrestricted free agent after this season. This should also mean that Strange will be as hungry as ever to make New England regret their decision. The left guard position includes Layden Robinson, the Patriots' fourth-round selection in 2024, and Jared Wilson, who is listed at center but could make his way over to left guard given his versatility.
For Strange to be a part of the Patriots' long-term plans, he has to stay healthy. The 26-year-old has missed 21 out of 34 games due to injury over the past two seasons. Availability is the best ability, especially with how injured the Patriots' offensive line has been the past few seasons.
Last season, Strange was among the best pass-blocking centers, according to PFF's grades. Although it was only a three-game sample size, Strange finished with a 79 pass blocking grade, good for 6th out of 64 eligible centers. His run-blocking abilities leave much to be desired, as he finished 63rd out of 64 centers in that department (40.4 run blocking grade).
With Mike Vrabel known to pound the rock in past years with the Titans, Patriots fans can expect more of the same with three serviceable running backs in Stevenson, Henderson, and Gibson. The Patriots should be a run-heavy team in 2025, meaning Strange has to get better in that area of his game to be able to earn another contract with New England.
There is a list of Patriots players with a lot to prove in training camp, but Strange may top them all. Let's see if the former first-round pick can right the ship and earn the starting left guard spot ahead of Week 1.