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.

NFL season is reportedly going to be a contract year for Patriots’ 2022 first-round pick Cole Strange. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Patriots are not picking up the fifth-year option for Strange,

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.