The New England Patriots have plenty of work to do this offseason if they hope to return to the promised land again in 2026, but some of the groundwork may be done within the building.
New England may opt to do some housekeeping before free agency, and that could include some of their own players packing their bags.
The Patriots have made three trades that have included players under Mike Vrabel thus far. Davon Godchaux was traded to the Saints during last offseason, Ja'Lynn Polk was also dealt to New Orleans, and Kyle Dugger was shipped to Pittsburgh ahead of the trade deadline.
While all three are unlikely to occur, these trades could serve as a gauge for exactly what the Patriots might look to do ahead of free agency.
3 trades the Patriots could make before free agency kicks off
Beginning the reconstruction of the offensive line
NE trades C Garrett Bradbury and Pick 169 (5) to JAX for Pick 124 (4)
After the Patriots' disastrous playoff run, in which Drake Maye became the most-sacked playoff QB ever (21 times), the line needs to be rebuilt. Bradbury was a sound center for New England this season, but they could look to move him if they have belief in Jared Wilson sliding over to take his spot.
If the team has that belief, then moving up 45 picks to claim a fourth-round pick while saving $5.7 million could be wise.
For Jacksonville, both starting center Robert Hainsey and right guard Patrick Mekari look like they could be cap casualties. 2025 draft pick Wyatt Milum will likely take over for Mekari, but Bradbury could be a more established candidate than seventh-rounder Jonah Monheim.
Making room for A.J. Brown
NE trades WR Pop Douglas and Pick 208 (6) to CAR for 2027 Round 5
As amazing as it would be to acquire A.J. Brown, it's more likely than not that he won't be with New England in 2026. Regardless, the Patriots need to make a move to upgrade at wide receiver, whether that be via a trade, a free-agent signing, or a premium draft pick.
The value the team would get in return for Douglas would likely be minimal, given how easy it is to find a quick-twitch, 400 to 600-yard gadget player in today's NFL. Nonetheless, trading him would open up a roster spot and help improve one of their four sixth-rounders in the 2026 draft to a fifth in '27.
Trading him would mean the Patriots are serious about putting significant resources into the wide receiver position. The Panthers, on the other hand, would add a sparkplug at a bargain.
Turning the page from the Belichick era
NE trades LB Jahlani Tavai and Pick 190 (6) to NYG for Pick 185 (6)
Moving up five picks in the sixth round effectively means nothing for draft position, but it would mean something in terms of cap space.
If the Patriots were to cut Tavai, who holds a $5.2 million cap hit in 2026, they'd save just over $1.7 million, leaving the remaining $3.5 million as dead cap. If he were to be traded, however, the Patriots would save $2.3 million while taking on $2.9 million in dead cap.
While it's only around $600,000 in additional savings, they'd also move up five draft slots.
The Giants plan to release Bobby Okereke, and Micah McFadden is set to be a free agent. They'll likely see some major changes at linebacker, but adding a player like Tavai, who had a career-best 115 tackles in 2024, could be a solid move to shore up the second level, and for just $2.3 million, they'd be getting some real stability.
Tavai is far from a bad player, but Vrabel seems to prefer a smaller, faster style of linebacker, a gift the 255-pound 29-year-old does not possess. Moving on while saving a few more bucks than if cut outright could be a savvy cap move.
As mentioned, all three of these moves happening is incredibly unlikely. Nonetheless, all three of Vrabel's trades that have included a player have exclusively included Day 3 draft picks to this point. We kept that trend going here, but if any of these were to occur, it would be the first time a trade didn't include a seventh-rounder.
It will be fascinating to watch what New England opts to do over the next few weeks to secure the team's future.