Versatility. 

That's one of the key reasons the New England Patriots made it such a priority this offseason to re-sign offensive lineman Mike Onwenu. 

And he has certainly lived up to that and more throughout the 2024 season. 

Onwenu has been moved back and forth from right tackle to right guard in the first nine games, but now it seems the coaching staff might be switching him to the other side. 

“Mike’s our best offensive lineman so we’re going to put him where he can be successful for us,” offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt said Thursday. “He’s been very versatile. We’ll see what happens this week, but I feel really good about Mike’s play. He needs to be available wherever he needs to be. So if he plays left guard, he plays right guard, he plays right tackle, again, he’s our best offensive lineman. We’re going to put him in an area where we need him.”

On Wednesday, Onwenu was seen taking snaps at left guard during practice, which is the first time he has done so since 2021. 

“It is pretty much the opposite,” Onwenu said about the switch. “But just body mechanics. As long as I think about it mentally, I should be all right physically.”

However, his last time on the left side wasn't how he wanted it to go. With Joe Thuney leaving the Patriots in 2020, Onwenu was thrown into the starting role. But he was benched in Week 4 for Ted Karras. 

"It's didn't really go that well," Onwenu explained when reminiscing about the 2021 season. "I was replacing Joe and that's a big, big task. But I think as the year went on, I was playing different positions, but I got comfortable with it. But at that point, I was just thrown in there. At the end of the day that's football." 

But this time, he has more experience. And as he said, "just got to practice at it."

The Patriots have been trying to find their starting offensive line group, but the struggles with the run game along with other factors have led to numerous changes. 

For any player, it would be tough to be moved around as much as Onwenu has been. So how does he feel about it?

"It's hard to say. Had a lot of injures and stuff, so there's been a lot of moving around. But we're making it work," he expressed. " I just play ball so I'm good wherever."

"It's not really what I want to be known for as much," Onwenu added. "But obviously I can do it. So it's a good skill to have."

So maybe that's factored into how he feels about how he's performed this season. 

“I’m not really that happy with how the season has gone for me personally,” Onwenu said. "I definitely think I can play better and just be a better player all around. So that’s what I’m looking forward to doing, and really just strapping up for these last couple weeks of the season."

The Patriots signed Onwenu to a three-year, $57 million contract. And while his play might not be where he expected it to be, his versatility deserves to be commended. 

He has not been given an easy task. 

So with all of this, the most important question is will Onwenu be ready to go on Sunday if they need him to play left guard? 

"Only one way to found out. We got to play."