The New England Patriots made a controversial decision in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft; they picked Chattanooga guard Cole Strange at No. 29 overall. Earlier this week, they decided to decline Strange’s fifth-year contract option after three up-and-down seasons.

The New England Patriots are reportedly not picking up the fifth-year option on Cole Strange's rookie contract.

The Patriots haven’t picked up a fifth-year option on a first-rounder since Isaiah Wynn. Strange joins a long list of New England players—Chandler Jones, Dont’a Hightower, Nate Solder—whose futures were decided early. Unlike those names, Strange still has to prove he belongs in the team’s long-term plans.