Another key Patriots vet reportedly missed Week 1 of offseason program

One key New England Patriots veteran could be worth keeping an eye on this offseason.

ESPN's Mike Reiss noted in his Sunday notes column that right guard Mike Onwenu missed the first week of the voluntary offseason program. While it isn't mandatory to attend the workouts, it's worth noting that Onwenu is currently in the final year of the three-year, $57 million contract extension he signed back in March 2024.

His situation has flown under the radar with much of the conversation being about Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte, who also skipped the first week of voluntary workouts while playing on an expiring contract.

Reiss wrote:

"It didn't receive the same level of attention as Boutte, but starting right guard Mike Onwenu also wasn't present for the first week of the voluntary offseason program, according to sources.

Onwenu, who is scheduled to earn a base salary of $16 million and carries a $25 million salary cap charge, would forego a $200,000 workout bonus if that continues. Onwenu has no guaranteed money remaining on his contract, and the Patriots probably would have liked to come away from the draft with someone to push him a bit, but trading their fourth-round picks (125, 131) contributed to them missing out on a potential target such as predraft visitor Jeremiah Wright of Auburn (No. 132, Saints)."

This situation bears monitoring over the spring and summer months.

The Patriots didn't draft a guard as an imminent replacement for Onwenu, who has been one of their most reliable offensive lineman on their roster for years. Onwenu, who turns 29 years old this year, could still come to terms on an extension with the Patriots at some point.