After a dreadful 2023 campaign, it was evident that the New England Patriots needed to address their offensive line issues this offseason.
They let offensive tackle Trent Brown walk and resigned tackle/guard Michael Onwenu to a massive extension. Guard Cole Strange suffered a season-ending injury last season that will likely keep him out for the beginning of 2024.
To improve their tackle situation, the team decided to sign former Pittsburgh Steeler Chukwuma Okorafor and draft Penn State's Caedan Wallace with the hopes that one would be able to flip from right to left in New England.
So far through a few training camp sessions, Wallace has been the team's top left tackle with Okorafor surprisingly starting on the right side, forcing Onwenu back to guard.
While the Patriots are beginning to use the same group at the start of practice, they haven't been as successful as one would hope. And, until they prove it there will be those who question the plan.
One person who's doing exactly that is an anonymous AFC North scout who spoke with Boston Sports Journal about New England's decision-making:
"Explain the plan to me again? Is there a plan? And I say this liking some of the pieces. Onwenu is a good player. (David) Andrews is a good player. But to think you can take a pair of right tackles (Chuks Okorafor and Caedan Wallace) and turn them into solid left tackles is either really forward-thinking and great scouting or just a piss-poor idea that can really eff up their season. I don't think that gets anyone fired. They obviously know this isn't a one-year rebuild, but I would have focused more on building a wall for the rookie QB, even more so than worrying about pass catchers."
The scout makes some fair points. If the quarterback, either Drake Maye or Jacoby Brissett, doesn't have to time make the right plays, there's no point in having the weapons to throw to because the ball won't get to them.
There were options that New England could've chosen to be better situated on the line this year, including signing a veteran with experience on the left side or trading for one.
Whether it will come back to bite them remains to be seen, but there's a strong chance that it does at some point if not right away.
