Patriots' Cole Strange Excited for Healthy Start to 2025

A lot has changed for New England Patriots fourth-year offensive lineman Cole Strange in the span of 365 days.

Around this time in 2024, Strange was beginning his recovery from a severe injury he suffered during the previous regular season. Strange tore a patellar tendon in his left knee in a game against the Kansas City Chiefs on December 17, 2023, which kept him off the field for the rest of the season and much of the next one.

He has since fully recuperated and did not carry any injury designations into the Patriots' OTAs, which took place over the last three weeks. Strange expressed excitement about beginning the offseason as a full participant in practice.

"Honestly, it feels really good. It feels awesome to just be healthy for OTAs and just be able to be out here and work on it," Strange told reporters on June 2. "This time last year, I was just learning how to walk. So, I feel very blessed."

New England Patriots guard Cole Strange (69) defends against Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Kyle Peko (92) at Allegiant Stadium.

Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Strange went on to appear in three games for the Patriots last season, two of which he started. He played 125 combined snaps on offense and special teams in these contests.

Strange said returning from injury late in 2024 allowed him to get back to speed more quickly than he would have if he decided to sit out the year.

"I feel like it was just good to get back into some short of rhythm of playing football because, what was it, December of '23, pretty much, to November to December of '24, no football for me," Strange said. "You all understand. Whenever you hadn't done something for a year, you just get rusty. So, just being able to get out there, get some practice reps, play in the game, see that speed, I think it was good to shock me back into it."

Originally a first-round (No. 29 overall) pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, Strange has spent his entire NFL career with the Patriots organization. Strange is credited with 30 appearances and 29 starts along the team's offensive line.