The New England Patriots released Cole Strange while trimming the roster to the league-mandated 53 players. Strange started 29 games after being selected 29th overall in 2022 and opened 2025 training camp as the starter under coach Mike Vrabel before moving to second- and third-unit center roles. The Patriots plan to start 2025 third-round pick Jared Wilson at left guard, with veteran Ben Brown as a top backup. Strange sustained a serious knee injury late in 2023 that limited him to three games in 2024 but entered 2025 healthy and earned an offseason award. Ja'Lynn Polk was placed on injured reserve and will miss 2025; Jahlani Tavai was placed on IR but designated to return. The Patriots waived fifth-round pick Bradyn Swinson and cut seventh-round pick Kobee Minor. Coach Mike Vrabel indicated the roster could remain fluid in the coming days.
Strange, a guard from Tennessee-Chattanooga, started 29 games in New England since former coach Bill Belichick made him a surprise selection at 29th overall in 2022. He had opened 2025 training camp under new coach Mike Vrabel as the starter, only to slip down the depth chart after one week, when he began working more as a second- and third-unit center. The Patriots project to start 2025 third-round pick Jared Wilson, of the University of Georgia, at left guard.
In addition to Strange, the Patriots placed wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk (2024 second-round pick) and veteran linebacker Jahlani Tavai on injured reserve. Polk will miss the 2025 season, while Tavai has been designated to return from IR and thus is still eligible to play in 2025. The Patriots also waived 2025 fifth-round pick Bradyn Swinson, an outside linebacker from LSU who was tabbed with the 146th pick of the draft.
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