New England Patriots rookie offensive guard Cole Strange got his “welcome to the NFL moment” against New York Jets’ star defensive tackle Quinnen Williams a little over a week ago, and things really haven’t been the same since.
The Patriots’ first-round draft pick was benched against the Jets, and in Sunday’s home game against the visiting Indianapolis Colts, he was forced to take a seat on the sidelines, again.
Even more surprising, the player that has been subbing in and out with him has been Patriots right tackle Isaiah Wynn, who has also struggled this season.
When asked about being benched, Strange said he knew ahead of time that he would be rotating with Wynn to some degree.
“It’s just fundamental stuff I need to correct, which I will,” Strange said after the game, via the Boston Herald’s Andrew Callahan.
Talked to Cole Strange about getting benched again today.
Strange: "It's just some fundamental stuff I need to correct, which I will."
Is that what the coaches say? "Yes."
He said the staff planned to rotate him and Wynn. Unclear how exactly. Wynn played most of the LG snaps.
— Andrew Callahan (@_AndrewCallahan) November 6, 2022
This isn’t just a Strange problem (no pun intended), either.
The Patriots offensive line as a whole has struggled this season. It doesn’t help matters that the team is missing captain David Andrews and Marcus Cannon. They’ve simply been inconsistent in pass protection, and penalties have constantly been an issue as well.
Strange has a lot of upside, and the team has every right to feel confident that he can make the necessary adjustments. But will he be able to do so fast enough to help combat a hellacious upcoming schedule for the Patriots?
That’s one of many big questions heading into the bye week.
