Mike Onwenu is now the longest-tenured offensive lineman for the New England Patriots.
After starting his career as one of the top offensive linemen in the NFL, Onwenu took a decline overall from 2023 to 2024, ranking as one of the best right tackles to one of the worst.
In 2023, Onwenu was statistically one of the best in the NFL. He only allowed 23 pressures on his 505 pass-blocking opportunities (17th-best) and had a run-block grade of 72.1 (20th). He was one of only 11 tackles to rank in the top 20 this season.
In 2024, Onwenu took a significant step back as a run-blocker, finishing with a 57.5 grade, which was a career-worst for the now six-year pro. That said, it’s worth mentioning that the offensive line as a unit was one of the worst in the NFL last season; it’s not just Onwenu that saw a decrease in production.
Here’s a look at Onwenu’s run-blocking grades for his career:
- 2020: 84.9 (mostly RT, but also RG & LG)
- 2021: 89.8 (LG, RT)
- 2022: 73.1 (RG)
- 2023: 73.2 (RT)
- 2024: 57.5 (RT, RG)
Although there’s a new coaching regime in New England, Onwenu is getting back into a system that he’s familiar with now that offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels is back on the sidelines calling the plays.
Onwenu spoke to the media for the first time this week after OTAs on Tuesday and said exactly that.
“I’m getting back to an offense that I’m familiar with. … it’s a little bit similar, I’m not going to say the same, but plays in familiar with, just different names and stuff like that.”
Onwenu was asked why he’s been limited in OTAs, and although the team and players aren’t required to disclose injury information at this time, he shared that he’s managing a hand injury.
“Nothing pretty much, rehabbing my hand.”
For the last five seasons, Onwenu has been a main fixture along the right side of the offensive line with 73 starts in 81 games. This is an important year for him to re-prove himself as one of the top offensive linemen in the NFL after what was a career-worst last season.
While the media have only been invited for three of the OTA sessions, Patriots insiders Greg Bedard, Tom E. Curran, and Phil Perry have all made note that Onwenu looks overweight and out of shape as the NFL offseason approaches minicamp.
I don’t think that’s entirely accurate or a fair assessment of Onwenu, who’s hovered around 344 lbs to 350 lbs while with the Patriots, which is right in line with some of the top offensive tackles in the NFL.
- Jordan Mailata (6’8”, 365 lbs.)
- Alaric Jackson (6’7”, 345 lbs.)
- Darnell Wright (6’6”, 333 lbs.)
- Rob Havenstein (6’7”, 323 lbs.)
- Mekhi Becton (6’7”, 363 lbs.)
- Daniel Faalele (6’8”, 380 lbs.)
It’s worth mentioning that Onwenu has always been on the larger side for his entire life. When he was in his first year at Michigan, Onwenu played along the offensive and defensive lines, weighing around 370 lbs, according to a quote from Michigan’s offensive coordinator in 2020.
At the NFL Combine in 2020, Onwenu said that he lost 20 lbs, and it was the most important thing that he wanted to do heading into the NFL. He also said that his arm length (34 ⅜ inches) is something he’s always been told is long and a good thing to have for his position.
“About 20 lbs. My weight is the biggest thing for me, so I’m happy about that. I’ve always been told that I have long arms, so being measured at that, having better numbers than some people that are taller than me or weigh less than me, that’s a good thing.”
Onwenu’s weight isn’t a problem for him with the Patriots, and this narrative is actually something that he dealt with last year when Mike Lombardi, Bill Belichick’s former assistant with the Patriots, made a comment about Onwenu’s weight on the GM Shuffle podcast, claiming that Onwenu gained 80 lbs, which Onwenu said was false and “ridiculous.”
“I’m the same weight, the same player, the same person. … weight has nothing to do with it. That sounds kind of ridiculous.”
The thing with Onwenu is that he needs to have that weight behind him to be successful at the point of attack against defensive linemen and blitzing linebackers. I truly don’t see his stature and weight being a problem.
The Patriots re-signed Onwenu last offseason to a three-year extension worth $57 million with $38 million guaranteed. He’s set to hold down the right side of the offensive line next to Morgan Moses this season.