The Patriots' defense was the talk of the team throughout the 2025 season, ending the year with a mostly impressive performance against the Seahawks in Super Bowl LX, even if the game ended in a loss. At the same time, however, it was clear even before that matchup that they desperately needed pass-rushing help, and this year's free agency and draft couldn't have been a better group to get one.
That's likely why their first free agent signing was Dre'Mont Jones, who recorded seven sacks last season between his time with the Titans and the Bears. Since then, the Patriots have only been connected to one other veteran, Arnold Ebiketie, as most others had already signed elsewhere.
And now they officially missed out on him, too, because he signed a one-year deal with the Eagles late Thursday night.
Former Falcons free-agent LB Arnold Ebiketie is signing a one-year, $7.3 million max deal with the Philadelphia Eagles, including $4.3 million fully guaranteed, per Damarius Bilbo of @KlutchSports. Ebiketie had eight sacks the past two seasons, and the Eagles are hoping for more… pic.twitter.com/eqYvWoOA4z
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 13, 2026
Whether it was a lack of pursuit of other candidates, a disinterest in paying what players were looking for, or maybe working too slowly, it's hard to say why the Patriots have missed out on every pass-rushing target that had been connected to them going into the offseason.
But one thing is clear: they'll need to prioritize the position even more in the draft, and that's going to put a lot of pressure on the rookie to perform early and often in 2026.
The list of pass rushers the Patriots can sign has narrowed significantly since the start of free agency
Looking at the EDGE rushers that remain unsigned by the end of the first week of free agency, most of the names have been productive throughout their careers, but not the long-term solution that the Patriots are likely looking for.
Of course, many of the players would be interesting additions to the defense, like perhaps Joey Bosa, Cameron Jordan, or even Kyle Van Noy, but they don't fit what Mike Vrabel and Eliot Wolf have discussed wanting for the roster.
They have very much emphasized wanting to assemble a young, hungry team they can help develop, so signing players over 30 doesn't exactly fit that. They could be good fits and be productive right away, and if they felt they were on a path to be a Super Bowl contender again this fall, then maybe they'd do that.
The problem is that they have expressed the opposite mindset, so it's incredibly unlikely that they'd sign one of the more seasoned veterans unless they felt it was absolutely necessary.
It might not be a totally bad idea, given they have the kind of knowledge that a younger roster can learn from, and that is invaluable to any player in the league, and it doesn't hurt that someone like Van Noy has already expressed interest in signing with New England.
But we'll have to wait and see whether Vrabel and Wolf adjust their mindset or recognize that the position might be too difficult to rely solely on a rookie to perform at a high level right out of the gate.