Cole Strange ‘Blessed’ To Be Back On The Field For Patriots

The final year of Cole Strange’s rookie contract with the New England Patriots is ahead.

But unlike last spring, the interior offensive lineman is able to participate in voluntary organized team activities. And fully.

“Honestly, it feels really good,” Strange told reporters following Monday’s session outside Gillette Stadium. “It feels awesome to just be healthy for OTAs and just be able to be out here and work on it, you know what I mean? This time last year, I was just like learning how to walk, so I feel very blessed.”

Against the Kansas City Chiefs on Dec. 17, 2023, Strange was carted off the field due to a torn patellar tendon. To injured reserve the Chattanooga product went. And 52 weeks later, after surgery and an arduous rehab, he found himself activated from the physically unable to perform list.

Three appearances followed for Strange, who made his return in the kicking game versus the Buffalo Bills on Dec. 22, 2024. From there, he notched back-to-back starts at center while handling all 117 offensive snaps.

From his view, coming back at the tail end of a 4-13 campaign wasn’t a decision. It was an opportunity.

“I feel like it was good to get back into some sort of rhythm of playing football,” Strange said. “Because December of ’23 pretty much to like November or December of ’24, no football for me, really. I mean, you all understand whenever you haven’t done something for a year, you just get rusty. So just being able to get back out there, get some practice reps, playing the game, you see that speed. I think it was good to sort of shock me back into it.”

At age 26, Strange has started 29 of his 30 games with the Patriots. The former first-team All-SoCon selection has stayed in for 1,666 snaps on offense and 89 snaps on special teams during his tenure. Until last winter, the playing time had arrived exclusively at left guard.

Layden Robinson, Wes Schweitzer and Tyrese Robinson are also in the starting conversation there. And at center, the same goes for rookie Jared Wilson and longtime Minnesota Viking Garrett Bradbury.

“You know, really, wherever they put me,” Strange said of his alignment. “I’m just trying to be as versatile as I can, add value wherever I can and just get on the field.”

The Patriots declined Strange’s fifth-year option, projected at $16.7 million, as the decline to do so passed on May 1. The No. 29 overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft moves forward with a base salary of $2.376 million as well as a cap hit of $3.899 million, according to OverTheCap.com.

But he moves forward on the practice fields as mandatory minicamp nears in Foxborough.

“I would say the truth is, you know, all I can really do is control what I can control and pray to God I don’t have any more injuries,” Strange said of where he stands in his career. “And as long as that takes care of itself, I’ll handle what I can handle. Not really worried about anybody’s opinion.”