After a five-year span of relative stability, the New England Patriots’ interior offensive line saw a major change in 2021. Long-time starter and perennial iron man Joe Thuney left the team in free agency, creating a massive hole at the left guard position. Luckily for the Patriots, they were well-equipped to fill it.
Second-year man Michael Onwenu, after all, played some impressive football during his rookie campaign the previous year; he started the season in Thuney’s old spot and again looked good. However, he was eventually moved to right tackle — the position he played in 2020 — and finally to the bench.