What do snap counts vs Browns tell us about future of Patriots’ offensive line?

The New England Patriots‘ Week 10 game against the Cleveland Browns was by far their best performance of the season and, most impressively, the offensive line held one of the game’s top front sevens in check.

That could be attributed to the return of tackle Trent Brown, who had been out of action since suffered a calf strain in Week 1.

The 6-foot-8, 380-pound behemoth likely needed ample time to rest given his frame coupled with the stress he’s constantly putting on his lower body.

But Brown’s presence on Sunday displaced one of the Patriots’ best performers all season long, and we’re a bit shocked.

Originally, we thought Bill Belichick would put Brown at left tackle, move Isaiah Wynn to the interior (or bench him), and keep Michael Onwenu at right tackle.

That’s not how it went. And it somehow resulted in one of the most impressive offensive line showings all year.

What do the snap counts from the Patriots’ game vs the Browns tell us?

It was Onwenu who lost snaps. He started the year at left guard, moved to right tackle in wake of Brown’s injury, and proved to be markedly better on the outside. In Week 9, he was the team’s most productive offensive lineman, and had been among the best in the league at run blocking the previous three weeks, according to Pro Football Focus.

These “grades” can always be taken with a grain of salt, but the eye test certainly matched whatever PFF came up with. Onwenu has been objectively good as the starting right tackle.

So what does this mean for the future of the offensive line? Brown is a free agent after this season, but his fit in New England coupled with the fact he was just used in favor of a candidate who figures to be a significant part of the O-line for years to come suggest a return for 2022 and beyond is likely on the table.

The fact of the matter is, however, Onwenu cannot be playing 39% of the offensive snaps with some of them coming at tight end. It’s just not the right way to maximize his talent, which has been on full display for the better part of his first 25 games in the NFL.

Belichick can ignore the line of questioning all he wants, but Patriots fans aren’t going to let this fall by the wayside. Does this mean Onwenu will become a trade candidate in the offseason? Or maybe a greater configuration is on the way and Wynn is shown the door? Has Ted Karras earned himself a contract extension with his play at left guard?

Sure, it’s only been one week, but an abrupt decision of this magnitude will undoubtedly spur questions.

Does Trent Brown return put Isaiah Wynn’s future with Patriots in question?

New England Patriots OL Trent Brown returned to practice on Wednesday after being absent since Week 1. What does this mean for Isaiah Wynn?