I’M LEAVING: New England Patriots Playmaker Cole Strange Stuns Team, Leaves Head Coach Mike Vrabel Speechless with Unexpected Departure.
Foxborough, MA
In a bombshell announcement that sent shockwaves through the NFL world, New England Patriots offensive lineman Cole Strange has revealed his sudden departure from the team, leaving head coach Mike Vrabel and the entire Patriots organization reeling.
Strange, 26, addressed teammates and staff in a closed-door meeting early Sunday morning, where he emotionally explained his decision to step away from football effective immediately. The former first-round pick cited personal reasons and long-term health concerns as key factors behind his stunning exit.
“I’ve given everything I have to this game, to my teammates, and to this franchise,” Strange said in a brief statement released later that day. “But after deep reflection and conversations with those closest to me, I’ve decided it’s time to step away and prioritize my well-being and family.”
Strange’s announcement reportedly caught everyone by surprise — especially head coach Mike Vrabel, who took over the Patriots earlier this year and had been counting on Strange as a core part of the team’s offensive line. According to multiple sources, Vrabel was “speechless” during the meeting and visibly shaken after the news.
I’M LEAVING: New England Patriots Playmaker Cole Strange Stuns Team, Leaves Head Coach Mike Vrabel Speechless with Unexpected Departure.
“He was a leader in the locker room, a fighter on the field, and a mentor to younger guys,” Vrabel later told reporters, pausing several times to collect his thoughts. “You don’t replace someone like Cole easily — as a player or a person.”
Drafted 29th overall by the Patriots in 2022 out of UT-Chattanooga, Strange quickly earned a reputation for his toughness and adaptability. Over three seasons, he started 44 games and was considered a cornerstone of New England’s rebuilding offense.
Strange’s departure leaves a notable gap in the Patriots’ line heading into training camp. While the team is expected to explore internal options and possible free-agent replacements, the timing of his exit — just weeks before offseason workouts — adds pressure to an already challenging transition year under Vrabel’s leadership.
For now, Strange says he plans to take time off to be with family and assess what the future holds, whether in football or beyond.
“This isn’t goodbye forever,” he said. “But it’s what I need to do right now.”
As the Patriots regroup and the NFL world reacts, one thing is certain: Cole Strange’s unexpected departure has left a void that will be difficult to fill — on and off the field.