After rumors surrounding the potential use of the franchise tag, Mike Onwenu is officially a free agent. The New England Patriots decided to use the transition tag on Kyle Dugger, giving Onwenu a clear path to the open market. This is an interesting strategy for the Patriots, as the team has a clear need along the offensive line. Since entering the league back in the 2020 NFL Draft, Onwenu has established himself as an above-average tackle and an elite guard. Shuffling all along the offensive line as required, the Michigan product has been one of the few consistently reliable members of the post-Brady Patriots.
While there is a chance the Patriots re-sign Mike Onwenu as a free agent, it isn’t particularly likely. Even though New England has over $100 million in free agency, they don’t seem particularly interested in bringing back their homegrown talent. Reports dating back to January indicate that Onwenu was probably leaving New England, and those reports appear to be coming to fruition.
Mike Onwenu Likely to Leave Patriots As A Free Agent
Only time will tell if the Patriots are right to let Mike Onwenu leave as a free agent. New England is notorious for letting their players walk, and the results have been mixed in recent years. While they were wise to let J.C. Jackson rob the Chargers blind, they were also in the wrong for effectively choosing Juju Smith-Schuster over Jakobi Meyers.
What’s not up for debate is that Onwenu is about to get paid. Spotrac believes that the Michigan product will receive a four-year, $54.5 million contract, and it’s hard to blame them for that assessment. When factoring in age, versatility, and overall level of play, there is a strong case to be made that Mike Onwenu is the top offensive lineman on the free agent market. The supply of starting-caliber offensive linemen does not meet the demand, so whether it’s guard or tackle, somebody is going to make Onwenu a very rich man.
Best Team Fits
Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs have already taken advantage of New England betting against their own players. The team signed Joe Thuney in the 2021 offseason, and the former Patriot has been one of the league’s more reliable guards throughout his Kansas City tenure. Now, history might repeat itself with free agent Mike Onwenu. Kansas City’s interior offensive line is as good as anyone’s, and Jawaan Taylor is locked into one of the tackle spots thanks to his massive contract. The other tackle position, however, is wide open. The Chiefs originally signed Taylor to play left tackle, so they could easily switch him back over to that side of the line. Alternatively, Onwenu has demonstrated an ability to learn positions overnight in the past, so they might ask him to do it again.
Tennessee Titans
The Tennesee Titans had the worst offensive line in football last year by a comfortable margin. Will Levis did the best he could, but it’s hard for any young quarterback to succeed with such subpar blocking. With over $80.6 million in cap space, the Titans should be able to sign Mike Onwenu as a free agent and still add another starting-caliber player or two. Levis has earned another chance under center, and signing Onwenu could be the first step in turning the second-round pick into a true franchise quarterback.
Los Angeles Chargers
Rashawn Slater is one of the best tackles in the league, but the rest of the offensive line could use some help. Mike Onwenu is better at guard than tackle, but the free agent can play both at a high level. Seeing as tackle is the more valuable position, Los Angeles could keep Onwenu there to protect Justin Herbert, or they could shift him inside to improve the run blocking for whoever ends up carrying the rock in 2024.
Carolina Panthers
Ikem Ekwonu may or may not be the Panthers left tackle of the future. While the first-round pick has shown some promise, he hasn’t been the most consistent. Eknwonu deserves to start the season protecting Bryce Young’s blindside, but the Panthers should have a Plan B in case things go south. If they sign him as a free agent, Mike Onwenu could immediately slide in at guard and improve a position that is among the worst in the NFL. If Ekwonu makes the Year 3 leap, then Carolina will have three reliable starters on the offensive line. However, if he struggles, Onwenu can move to left tackle and Ekwonu can move inside.
New Orleans Saints
Currently sitting $15.5 million over the salary cap, there is no way the Saints should be able to afford Mike Onwenu as a free agent. However, this is the Saints we’re talking about, so they will restructure their way to cap compliance no matter the long-term consequences. Dennis Allen is probably out of a job if the team can’t make it to the playoffs, so he’ll need to get the best out of Derek Carr in 2024. To do that, he’ll need to improve the protection. Carr is one of the worst passers in the league under pressure, and the Saints do not have a single reliable tackle on the roster. Mike Onwenu would easily be the best tackle on the roster and the free agent might be the difference between a playoff birth and everyone getting fired.
Main Photo: Eric Canha – USA Today Sports
