There are a handful of key Patriots players expected to play on the final year of their current contracts in 2026, many of whom the team should extend as soon as possible for the betterment of the team's immediate and long-term future. At the top of the list is right guard Mike Onwenu, who has become a staple of the offensive line since he was drafted in 2020.
He has consistently performed at the highest level and was the best offensive lineman on the roster last season, a fact that became even more important as some of his teammates struggled in the biggest games.
Because of his reliability, he earned a massive contract extension in 2024, one of the bigger moments of the Jerod Mayo era, earning the kind of money a franchise tackle typically receives from their team.
That raised concerns about how it would affect the roster, but the Patriots just solved that problem with a major restructuring, which also gives some hope for Onwenu's future in New England.
Mike Onwenu's willingness for a pay cut is a big win for the Patriots
It was announced on Friday that Onwenu agreed to what would be considered a pay cut from the original $16 million he was set to make this fall, to just $2.95 million with $6 million in signing bonuses. It also gave him $8.95 million in guarantees, which is massive since he wasn't guaranteed any money for the 2026 season.
His cap hit is now at just $17.5 million instead of $25 million, giving the Patriots over $42 million in cap space to utilize for the rest of the offseason.
It's a move that might be widely overlooked, since many deemed it necessary given how hefty Onwenu's extension was. But it also shows the Patriots are prioritizing the team, and the guard is doing the same.
On top of that, this could be a glimpse into the future, since Onwenu is only under contract for one more year. Clearly, he's willing to do what it takes to stay in New England, and that could become a major factor in how he conducts himself in free agency next year.
He's expected to remain the top lineman this fall, and if he continues to be the most stable part of the group, there's no reason for the Patriots not to offer him another contract, even if it is only short-term.
They have made plenty of upgrades to the offensive line to surround Drake Maye with the kind of talent needed to keep him protected, and a big part of that will be keeping Onwenu for as long as possible.
Maintaining consistency will be crucial to the quarterback's development and long-term stability under center, and Onwenu has been and should be an anchor of that. Restructuring his deal and opening the door for extension conversations next offseason is a big step in the right direction for that to happen.
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