After suffering a disappointing loss to the Raiders last Sunday, the Patriots hope to rebound in big fashion in their first divisional matchup of the season against a very depleted Dolphins team in Miami this weekend.
Typically, this is a game circled on the calendar every year for the sole reason that the Patriots are considered cursed in Miami and have long struggled in their games in South Beach. However, their lackluster performance, which might be the kindest way of putting it, against the Colts last week, increases the Patriots' odds of adding the first win to their season.
Among the most notable struggles they had against the Daniel Jones-led Colts was a piling up of injuries along their offensive line and their secondary, which should certainly work in the Patriots' favor after an impressive showing from their revamped defensive line.
That has now had them looking into free agency to add protection for quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and their first signing is a familiar face in New England.
Dolphins are about to find out what Patriots fans already know about Cole Strange
Because starting caliber offensive linemen don't just become available, especially after the season has already begun, the Dolphins weren't going to have a lot of options going into Week 2. But they still chose to sign infamous Patriots draft bust Cole Strange on Tuesday afternoon, which doesn't seem like a coincidence given his former team is next on the schedule.
The #Dolphins are signing guard Cole Strange off Cleveland’s practice squad, per source.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 9, 2025
Miami is dealing with multiple OL injuries and now Strange — the former #Patriots first-round pick — could be in uniform against New England on Sunday. pic.twitter.com/BNWE035ZRb
To be fair, Strange's entire time with the Patriots wasn't forgettable. There were some high points that made him appear as a solid guard that they could have as a starter over the last three years. But his injury and lack of bounce back this summer made it easy for him to be released during the roster cut deadline.
There is a chance he could be a solid addition to their offense because they need all the help they can get for the season ahead. It would be a wild turn of events if he somehow morphed into a player the Patriots weren't able to see since he was shockingly drafted by Bill Belichick in the first round.
And we'll get to see if that becomes a reality firsthand this weekend when the Patriots and Dolphins play for the first time this season. Strange could become the latest guard to (slightly) make a name for himself with the AFC East foe, as another failed draft pick, Isaiah Wynn, spent some time with the team, too.