The New England Patriots are a team in transition. The remnants of the system built by Bill Belichick for two decades is on the way out. Incoming is a new version being constructed by Mike Vrabel. Make no mistake about it, Vrabel is running the show.
Vrabel is repeating almost nothing from the disastrous 2024 offseason is eing repeated by Vrabel. That offseason was littered with extensions for current players, none of whom lived up to their contracts. This year, the only significant extension was for linebacker Christian Elliss, an astute move by Vrabel.
Vrabel's moves to date and likely additions in the draft place the tenures of several Patriots' players at risk. Here, we'll outline two on offense and three on defense who may be packing their bags in the not-too-distant future as Vrabel reshapes the Patriots in his own image.
Three Patriots offensive players on the bubble
Free agency brought in three veteran offensive linemen who will all likely start. None were left tackles and the team has none of note. It's certain that Mike Vrabel will address the neglect of the 2024 offseason and draft one or two. One will start immediately, bad news for 2024's starter, Vederian Lowe.
The Patriots spent a sixth-round pick to acquire him, and he plays like a sixth-round pick. Pro Football Focus's ratings stats on Lowe are all that need to be seen. He was the 102nd-ranked tackle out of 141. He was 62nd out of 141 tackles in pass blocking and 132nd out of 141 in run blocking. He also allowed 33 quarterback hits and five sacks.
He may stick as a swing backup, but the Pats should move on. Whoever they draft can't do much worse if he's taken in the top two rounds. Your left tackle is a key to your passing game. You won't win without a good one.
Another player on the bubble is former 2022 first-round guard Cole Strange. When Strange is actually on the field, he's not very good. Before getting injured, he was unceremoniously benched by Bill Belichick in 2023. You should almost never take a guard in the first round and certainly not significantly reach for one as the Pats did for Strange.
Another Patriots offensive player who's on the bubble is Kendrick Bourne. Bourne, at best, is a 2B or No. 3 wide receiver when he's on the field. He suffered an ACL tear and didn't achieve much in 2024.
The Pats' former personnel team flubbed the 2024 draft on the two wide receivers they selected in the second and fourth rounds, Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker. Neither did anything with their limited opportunities, but they're probably safe as recent draftees. Their futures under Vrabel, however, might be more unclear.
Two Patriots defensive players who'll likely play elsewhere in 2025
Mike Vrabel has almost totally transformed his defense in free agency. He's shifted gears from a two-gap, read-and-react defense to a more upfield, force-the-action, penetrating one. Three players who didn't fit the mold are already gone: Davon Godchaux, Deatrich Wise Jr., and Ja'Whaun Bentley. All three were starters. Two others who played a lot will likely join them.
Linebackers Jahlani Tavai and Anfernee Jennings don't fit the profile required to play in Vrabel's new system. They are too big, too slow, and not tailored to be upfield aggressive attackers. Expect both to be playing elsewhere in 2025.
Tavai is a decent run stopper, but he makes few plays. Also, his going off on the Gillette Stadium fandom for booing the team's 4-13, 2024 team can't sit well with almost anyone in Foxborough who wasn't a direct part of that mess. He's on the way out.
Jennings is a former third-round pick who's primarily been less than ideal. He's stayed around because of that lofty draft status but
Those are five players who'll possibly be ex-Patriots by the team's first game if not well before. There are lots of others on the bubble. Some were either drafted or signed by titular personnel head, Eliot Wolf. That may slow the process. Regardless, Vrabel is now running the show. Expect non-performers and players who don't fit his model to play elsewhere. It is what it is, moving on from last place.