Fans thought Cole Strange could be something of a revelation to their offensive line when he came back to the lineup after a torn patellar tendon kept him out for most of 2024. While he had been far from elite in his career, there was little doubt he was better than other offensive linemen the Patriots featured: Demontrey Jacobs, Ben Brown, Vederian Lowe... the list goes on.
He started the final two games at center over Brown, recording a more than respectable 79.0 PFF pass blocking grade in his 117 snaps.
2025 brought in a new staff and new players, but that wouldn't appear to be a problem for Strange at the beginning of the process.