Onwenu signed a three-year extension with the team in free agency.
As the New England Patriots have transitioned into a “draft and develop” team under Eliot Wolf and Jerod Mayo, the first domino that fell was re-signing offensive lineman Michael Onwenu, who inked a three-year, $57 million deal to remain in Foxboro in free agency.
“I love it. The process went good,” Onwenu said Thursday in his first public remarks since the deal. “I’m happy to be back here, so that’s all that matters.”
That process included Onwenu representing himself, as he parted ways with his agent briefly before free agency began. Getting a first-hand look at the business side of the game and fielding offers from other suitors, a return to New England was at the top of Onwenu’s list.
“I think it was always trending in the direction that I would be back,” Onwenu said. “Me and the Patriots, we always kept the communication line open and we were talking about everything. So it was a good time.”
The free agency process also included positional talk, as Onwenu has started at left guard, right guard and right tackle since being selected in the 2020 NFL Draft. While he explained he’d be fine with any spot up front, the expectation is he’ll finally settle down at one spot.
“Through the whole process, we spoke about me playing tackle,” Onwenu said. “And even after I signed, that was the same thing. In my mind, I’m still playing right tackle.”
Now entering year five, Onwenu is ready to take on a larger leadership role with a fresh contract and potential permanent position. It has him excited for the opportunity to be a part of something new under head coach Jerod Mayo.
“Just the opportunity to build. Definitely been a good four years for me,” Onwenu answered when asked why he wanted to return. “We have our opportunity to build and start something new, and I think that’s really what’s important. We all see our opportunity and we’re going to take that opportunity.”
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