The New England Patriots have announced their final 53-man roster for the 2025 season. The team has parted ways with a few big name pieces, including former first round pick Cole Strange.
The Patriots released the following players: CB Miles Battle, G Mehki Butler, G Jack Conley, CB Brandon Crossley, TE C.J. Dippre, S Marcus Epps, RB JaMycal Hasty, T Demontrey Jacobs, RB Terrell Jennings, WR John Jiles, DE Truman Jones, C Alec Lindstrom, DB Kobee Minor, DT David Olajiga, LB Cam Riley, DT Jahvaree Ritzie, K Parker Romo, TE Gee Scott Jr., G Cole Strange, LB Bradyn Swinson and WR Jeremiah Webb,” the team’s official press release reads.
The team has elected to keep nine offensive lineman, including five guards/centers. Rookie Jared Wilson, free agent signee Garrett Bradbury, and returning starter Mike Onwenu are expected to make up the starting interior. While Ben Brown and Caedan Wallace will provide depth.
The Cole Strange era is over in New England.
Strange, 27, was drafted by New England in the first-round of the 2022 NFL Draft out of Chattanooga with the 29th overall selection,” the press release continued. The 6-foot-5, 310-pounder, has played in 30 games with 29 starts during his three seasons with the Patriots. He started his first 17 games at left guard before suffering an injury in December of the 2023 season. Strange began the 2024 season on the Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform List and was limited to just three games with two starts at center.”
Strange ‘Officially A Bust’
Cole Strange was the last remnant of Bill Belichick’s final season with the Patriots. After Tom Brady left, cracks started forming in the relationship between the greatest coach of all time and the fan base.
His quirky draft decisions were no longer “Bill being Bill” and were now painful errors setting the rebuilding Patriots back years. FCS offensive guard Cole Strange was one of those errors.
“The Chattanooga product was viewed by many as a developmental Day 2 pick ahead of the ’22 draft before he was plucked by Belichick,” writes Grant Gordon for NFL.com. So, with his first-round pedigree and experience, it’s likely he’ll get a second chance to prove himself, but one of Belichick’s last draft-day surprises is officially a bust for the Patriots.
As much as it hurts to throw away a first round selection like this, Strange was very, very bad. He started every game as a rookie, ten games in his second season, and just a handful of games last season. He did not play well at any particular point.
Despite being a surprise pick for the Patriots in 2022, Strange has emerged as a force and improved his 54.6 PFF overall grade in his rookie season to 64.6 in 10 games this past year,” reads an article published by Pro Football Focus ranking Strange as the worst guard in the league before last season began.
Rookie Jared Wilson Earns Starting Spot
This final roster points to Jared Wilson, the rookie out of the University of Georgia, earning the starting spot at left guard.
He will be paired with fellow SEC rookie Will Campbell to make up Drake Maye’s blindside.
Veteran Morgan Moses will start at right tackle. The team is hopeful former Minnesota Vikings center Garrett Bradbury will shake off a bad camp and return to last season’s form. While Mike Onwenu will be the only familiar face on the line, as the lone returning starter.
Patriots’ Release Former First Round Pick Cole Strange, 20 Others