Patriots Not Picking Up Cole Strange's Fifth-Year Option

Patriots Not Picking Up Cole Strange's Fifth-Year Option

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The New England Patriots are not picking up the fifth-year option for the 2026 season on offensive lineman Cole Strange, a source told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. The option for the 2026 season would have paid Strange around $16.7 million. The 26-year-old center is now in line to hit the open market after the 2025 season, unless the Patriots sign him to a long-term extension before then. He was the 29th overall pick by New England in the 2022 NFL draft out of Chattanooga. Strange started 17 games at left guard in his rookie season in 2022 but struggled with injuries in each of the past two seasons, playing in a combined 13 games (12 starts). He suited up for only three games (two starts) last year. Now that he's back to full health in advance of the 2025 campaign, he's expected to serve in a backup role behind newcomer Garrett Bradbury.

Source: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler