Cole Strange

Patriots did not exercise the OL Cole Strange’s fifth-year team option for 2026.

The move, or lack thereof, doesn’t come as a surprise. Strange was a stunning first-round selection by Bill Belichick in 2022, with Sean McVay saying he thought the Rams would have a shot at landing Strange with the 104th pick. Strange suffered a torn patellar tendon late in the 2023 season that cost him most of 2024. A left guard by trade, Strange made two starts at center last year. A replacement-level player at best, Strange enters his contract year in need of a breakout season.